Yogesh Kathuniya and Team India Shine at Paris Paralympics with Record 29 Medals
New Delhi [India], September 10: India’s Paralympic silver medallist para-athlete Yogesh Kathuniya shared that talking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi helped athletes perform better. Kathuniya won the silver medal in the Men’s Discus Throw F56 final with a best throw of 42.22 meters at the Stade de France. This was his second successive medal at the Paralympics after Tokyo 2020.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Indian contingent of the Paris Paralympics returned to India after their record-breaking performance at the multi-sport event. Kathuniya expressed his happiness upon returning and mentioned that the para-athletes will start practicing for upcoming events. He said, “It feels really good and even better on reaching India. We have received such a grand welcome. Talking to the Prime Minister always motivates us to do better. We will start once again and next year I will try to perform better.”
The Indian team concluded its Paralympics campaign in Paris on Sunday with a record haul of 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes. This 29-medal tally is the most by India in the history of the Paralympics, surpassing their previous record of 19 medals at Tokyo 2020. India finished the event in the 18th position.
India achieved several milestones at the Paralympic Games. Para-shooter Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to secure two Paralympic gold medals, defending her women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting title with a world record score of 249.7 points. India also recorded a one-two finish in para-athletics for the first time, with Dharambir and Parnav Soorma winning gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s club throw F51 event. Dharambir set an Asian record of 34.92 meters.
In the T64 high jump event, Praveen Kumar stood at the top of the podium with an Asian record-breaking jump of 2.08 meters, earning India their sixth gold. India also celebrated its first-ever archery champion across the Olympics and Paralympics, with Harvinder Singh winning gold in the individual recurve para-archery against Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek. Indian javelin throw ace Sumit Antil became the first Indian male to defend his Paralympics title, achieving back-to-back gold in the F64 event with a record-breaking throw of 70.59 meters, breaking his own previous record set during Tokyo 2020 three times.
Doubts Revealed
Yogesh Kathuniya -: Yogesh Kathuniya is an Indian athlete who competes in the Paralympics. He won a silver medal in the Men’s Discus Throw F56 event.
Paralympics -: The Paralympics are a major international sports event for athletes with disabilities. They happen right after the Olympics.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi -: Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister of India. He is the leader of the country and helps make important decisions.
Men’s Discus Throw F56 -: This is a sports event where athletes throw a heavy disc called a discus. F56 is a category for athletes with certain types of physical disabilities.
Paris Paralympics -: The Paris Paralympics are the Paralympic Games held in Paris, France. They are similar to the Olympics but for athletes with disabilities.
29 medals -: India won 29 medals in total at the Paris Paralympics. This includes gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Avani Lekhara -: Avani Lekhara is an Indian Paralympic shooter. She won two gold medals at the Paris Paralympics.
Dharambir -: Dharambir is an Indian Paralympic athlete who set an Asian record at the Paris Paralympics.
Sumit Antil -: Sumit Antil is an Indian Paralympic javelin thrower. He broke a record with his throw at the Paris Paralympics.
Tokyo 2020 -: Tokyo 2020 refers to the Paralympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan, in the year 2020. India won 19 medals there.
