India hopes to win more than 25 medals at the upcoming Paralympics in Paris, which begin on August 28, with its largest-ever contingent of 84 athletes, Athletics Federation of India chairman Devendra Jhajharia said on Tuesday.
Jhajharia, himself a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, said the Indian team will look to carry the momentum of their record-breaking performances into the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics and the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
India won 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics and a historic 111 medals at the Paralympic Games.
“This is the largest Paralympic group that India has ever sent to the Paralympics. We are very confident about the overall performance and will definitely win more than 25 medals,” Jhajharia said here at an event organised by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).
India will compete in 12 sports including archery, athletics, badminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo.
Most of our athletes are in great shape and have trained hard for this event. We expect outstanding results, especially in athletics, badminton, archery and shooting. They are ready to make India proud, the PCI President said.
The Indian team consists of a mix of experienced and young athletes, many of whom are participating in their second or third Paralympics.
Amit Kumar Saroha, a veteran athlete who is participating in the Paralympics for the fourth time, will represent India in the discus throw in the F51 category. The 39-year-old Asian Para Games medallist is the oldest member of the team.
At the other end of the spectrum is the youngest athlete, 17-year-old archer Sheetal Devi. Due to a condition she has suffered from since birth, she shoots with her legs instead of her hands.
She recently made headlines when she won gold medals in the individual and mixed team archery events at the 2023 Asian Para Games.
Meanwhile, 100 Sports Management Private Limited has been awarded exclusive broadcast and digital media rights for the Paris Paralympics in India, according to a press release.
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First published: August 14, 2024 | 10:23 am IS
