With the Paris Olympics now concluded, attention turns to the Paris Paralympics 2024, beginning on August 28. India has selected Tokyo Paralympics gold medallist Sumit Antil and Asian Para Games silver medallist Bhagyashree Jadhav as the flag-bearers for the Opening Ceremony.
Sumit Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav have been consistently strong performers. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has chosen them to lead the Indian contingent during the athletes’ march past at the Paris Paralympics. India secured 19 medals in the previous edition in Tokyo.
Sumit Antil’s achievements
Sumit Antil, a javelin thrower from Haryana, won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics with a world record throw of 68.55 metres in the F64 category. He continued his success by winning gold at the World Para Championships last year and breaking his own record with a 73.29m throw at the Asian Para Games.
Bhagyashree Jadhav’s success in ShotPut
Bhagyashree Jadhav, competing in the F34 category, earned a silver medal at the Asian Para Games. She is also a medallist at the FAZZA World Cup. India’s Paralympics team includes 84 athletes competing in 12 disciplines from August 28 to September 8.