Paralympian Sonal Patel Inspired by PM Modi After Record-Breaking Paralympics
New Delhi [India], September 12: Paralympian Sonal Patel expressed her renewed motivation and determination after her meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Patel, who recently competed in the Paralympics in para table tennis but did not secure a medal, shared her experience and the encouragement she received from the Prime Minister.
“It felt really good talking to PM Modi today,” Patel remarked. “I could not win a medal this time but after talking to PM Modi, I am extremely motivated. He told us that participating in the Paralympics is also a very big thing. We will work hard and make sure to win a medal next time,” she added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Indian contingent of the Paris Paralympics at his residence 7, Lok Kalyan Marg in the national capital on Thursday. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse, and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president Devendra Jhajharia were also present during the meeting.
The Indian contingent concluded its Paralympics campaign in Paris on Sunday with a record haul of 29 medals, including seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronzes. The 29-medal tally is the most by India in the history of the Paralympics. Following the conclusion of the landmark campaign, India surpassed its record medal tally of 19, which was achieved at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. India ended the marquee event in the 18th position.
India rewrote several records and unlocked some new “firsts” at the Paralympic Games. Para-shooter Avani Lekhara became the first ever Indian woman to secure two Paralympic gold medals as she managed to defend her women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting title with a world record score of 249.7 points. India recorded a one-two finish at a para-athletics competition for the first time, with Dharambir and Parnav Soorma clinching gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s club throw F51 event. This was among India’s first-ever medals in this sport. Dharambir also set an Asian record of 34.92 m.
In the T64 high jump event, Praveen Kumar stood at the top of the podium with an Asian record-breaking jump of 2.08 m, landing India their sixth gold. India finished the competition with seven gold medals. India also found its first-ever archery champion across the Olympics and Paralympics, with Harvinder Singh getting the 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 their Paralympics title, making it back-to-back gold in the F64 event with a stunning Paralympic record-breaking throw of 70.59 m. He broke his own previous record set during the Tokyo 2020 not once, but thrice.
Doubts Revealed
Paralympian -: A Paralympian is an athlete who competes in the Paralympic Games, which are like the Olympics but for athletes with disabilities.
Sonal Patel -: Sonal Patel is an Indian athlete who competes in para table tennis, which is table tennis for people with physical disabilities.
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Narendra Modi, who is the Prime Minister of India, the leader of the country.
Para table tennis -: Para table tennis is a sport similar to regular table tennis but is played by athletes with physical disabilities.
Paris Paralympics -: The Paris Paralympics are the Paralympic Games that took place in Paris, where athletes with disabilities from around the world compete in various sports.
Avani Lekhara -: Avani Lekhara is an Indian Paralympic shooter who won two gold medals at the Paris Paralympics.
Dharambir -: Dharambir is an Indian Paralympic athlete who competed in the men’s club throw event.
Parnav Soorma -: Parnav Soorma is another Indian Paralympic athlete who also competed in the men’s club throw event.
Sumit Antil -: Sumit Antil is an Indian Paralympic javelin thrower who set a new record with his throw at the Paris Paralympics.
