The Tokyo Paralympics were highly successful for the Indian contingent, with numerous records broken. The team finished in the top 25 for the first time, secured double-digit medals, and won a historic five gold medals. As India prepares for the Paris Paralympics, the aim is to surpass these achievements and inspire a new generation of athletes to aim for greatness.
I believe the team will exceed the benchmarks set in Tokyo. Although breaking these records will be challenging, let’s explore the individuals who could be India’s top medal prospects in Paris.
Amit Kumar Saroha
At 39, Amit Kumar Saroha is the oldest member of the Indian contingent and will compete in his fourth Paralympics. The Arjuna Awardee will participate in the F51 category for Discus and Club Throw. Saroha, a highly experienced athlete, has won five medals, including two golds, at the Asian Para Games and has represented India at the World Championships.
Sheetal Devi
Sheetal Devi gained attention when videos of her shooting an arrow without upper limbs went viral. The 17-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir has exceptional talent. After 11 months of training, she won three medals, including two golds and one silver, at the Asian Para Games in Compound Archery. With more preparation time for her first Paralympics, she is well-prepared for Paris.
Pranav Soorma
Pranav Soorma is an accomplished Indian para-athlete. He has won gold medals at the Serbia Open 2023 and Tunisia Grand Prix 2022 and a silver medal at the Beijing Grand Prix 2019. At the Asian Para Games, Soorma set a new Asian Games record in the men’s Club Throw F51 event with a throw of 30.01 metres. He broke the world record in the F51 category club throw at the Paris Paralympics trials with an impressive 37.23 meters and is a strong medal contender.
Avani Lekhara
Avani Lekhara needs no introduction. She was the first Indian woman to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games, claiming the top prize in the 10m air rifle event at Tokyo 2020. Lekhara also won gold at the 2022 Asian Games.
Deepthi Jeevanji
Deepthi Jeevanji is a strong medal contender for the Paris Paralympics. The 21-year-old from Kalleda village, Warangal district, Telangana, has achieved significant success. She won gold in the 400m T20 event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games and set a world record in the women’s 400m T20 category with a time of 55.06 seconds at the World Para Athletics Championships.
Sumit Antil
Sumit Antil is synonymous with consistency. A javelin thrower from the same city as two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra, Antil clinched gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. He has consistently won gold medals, including at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships and the 2022 Asian Games. Antil holds the world record in the javelin throw F64 category with a distance of 73.29 meters.
Mariyappan Thangavelu
Mariyappan Thangavelu, a seasoned para-athlete, faced a life-changing event at age nine when a bus ran over his leg. From Salem, Tamil Nadu, the 29-year-old competes in the men’s high jump T-63 category. He won gold in the 2016 Paralympics and silver in Tokyo 2020. He also earned silver at the Asian Games and gold at the World Championships.
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