Paralympics 2024: Top 10 Indian players to watch out for in Paris

The Paris 2024 Paralympics will begin on August 28, with India sending its largest-ever delegation of 84 para-athletes. The Paralympic Committee of India has announced that the country will compete in three new sports—para cycling, para rowing, and blind judo—bringing India's total participation to 12 sports.

Sumit Antil: A Leading Contender
Sumit Antil, the gold medalist in the men’s javelin throw F64 category at the Tokyo Paralympics, is a key figure in India's Paralympic hopes. Antil set a world record with a throw of 68.55 meters at the 2020 Summer Paralympics, later surpassing this with a 68.62-meter throw. In 2022, he further improved his record to 73.29 meters. At the 2024 World Para Athletic Championships, he clinched gold with a throw of 69.50 meters.


Avani Lekhara: Historic Achievements
Avani Lekhara, from Rajasthan, made history at the Tokyo Paralympics by winning gold in the 10m air rifle standing and bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions. She became the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in a single Paralympic Games and set a Paralympic record with a score of 249.6 points. In 2024, Lekhara won bronze medals at the Para Shooting World Cup in New Delhi.

Mariyappan Thangavelu: A Veteran Performer
Mariyappan Thangavelu, who won gold in the men’s high jump T-42 at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, remains a strong contender. He also secured silver in the T42/T63 category at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Thangavelu won bronze at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship.

Sheetal Devi: Overcoming Challenges
Sheetal Devi, born with phocomelia, has become an international para archery champion. At the 2022 Asian Para Games, she won two gold medals and one silver. In 2023, Devi received the Arjuna Award and the Best Youth Athlete Award from the Asian Paralympic Committee.

Krishna Nagar: Para Badminton Star
Krishna Nagar, ranked World No. 2 in men’s singles SH6, won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. He also earned gold at the 2024 World Championship and has multiple medals from other world championships. Nagar was awarded the Khel Ratna Award in 2021.

Suhas Yathiraj: A Rising Star
Suhas Yathiraj, an Arjuna Awardee and current World No. 1 in men’s singles, is a key athlete for India. He won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and gold at the 2016 Asian Para Badminton Championship. Yathiraj’s performance continues to be a source of pride for the Indian delegation.

Bhavina Patel: Table Tennis Hopeful
Bhavina Patel, who won silver in Class 4 table tennis at the Tokyo Paralympics, aims for gold at Paris 2024. She has achieved notable success in various international events, including gold at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

Yogesh Kathuniya: Discus Thrower
Yogesh Kathuniya, who won silver in men’s discus throw F56 at the Tokyo Paralympics, is another athlete to watch. He set a world record in the F36 category in 2018 and received the Arjuna Award in 2021.

Thulasimathi Murugesan: New Talent
Thulasimathi Murugesan, making her Paralympic debut, has shown promise. At the 2022 Asian Para Games, she won three medals, including a gold in the individual women’s singles SU5 category.

Nishad: A Rising Star
Nishad, who secured a silver medal with an Asian record at the Tokyo Paralympics, is also a strong contender. He has won multiple medals at World Championships and is expected to perform well in Paris.

India’s diverse and talented delegation is set to make a significant impact at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, showcasing the nation’s strength and determination in para-sports.