Paris Paralympics: India’s Medal Haul Reaches 24; Dharambeer Wins Gold and Pranav Silver in Club Throw; Harvinder Singh Secures Gold in Archery

On Wednesday night, India secured its 24th medal at the Paris Paralympics. In the final match of the club throw, which lasted until 2 AM, Dharambeer Singh won the gold medal while Pranav Soorma took home the silver medal. 

Earlier, archer Harvinder Singh won gold and shot putter Sachin Sarjerao earned silver. On the 7th day of the Games, Indian athletes clinched 2 gold and 2 silver medals.

With this achievement, India’s total medal count at the Paris Games has reached 24, comprising 5 gold, 9 silver, and 10 bronze medals. India currently stands at 13th position in the medal tally. This marks the best-ever performance by Indian para-athletes in Paralympic history. In the Tokyo Games, India had won 19 medals.

India Wins Gold and Silver in Club Throw but Misses Clean Sweep

In the men’s F-51 category club throw event, India won both gold and silver medals but fell short of a clean sweep. Late into the night, Dharambeer Singh secured the gold medal with a best throw of 34.92 meters, while Pranav Soorma earned the silver medal with a best throw of 34.59 meters. Serbia’s Jeliko Dimitrijevic won the bronze medal with a best throw of 34.18 meters.

India could have achieved a clean sweep in the club throw event, winning all three medals, but Amit Kumar’s performance prevented it. Out of six attempts, Kumar fouled four throws. Of the two valid throws, his best reached only 23.96 meters, placing him 10th.

The F-51 category includes athletes with limb loss, differences in leg length, reduced muscle strength, or decreased range of motion.

Harvinder Singh Becomes First Indian to Win Gold in Para Archery

Harvinder Singh has made history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in para archery at the Paralympic Games. Singh, who was ranked 9th in the men’s individual recurve open ranking round, defeated Lung-Hui Cheng of Chinese Taipei 7-3 in the Round of 32. He then overcame Setiyawan 6-2 in the pre-quarterfinals.

In the quarterfinals, Harvinder won 6-2 against Julio Hector Ramirez of Colombia. He advanced to the semifinals, where he defeated Mohammad Rezaei of Iran 7-3. In the final, Harvinder clinched the gold medal by winning 6-0 against Lukasz Cisek of Poland.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Harvinder on X, stating, “A special gold in para archery. Congratulations to Harvinder Singh for winning gold in the men’s individual recurve open. His focus, target, and spirit were exceptional. India is very proud of your victory.”

Simran Secures Spot in Semifinals

In the women’s T-12 category, Indian athlete Simran has advanced to the semifinals of the 100-meter race. She achieved first place in Heat 1 of Round 1 with a time of 12.17 seconds. Simran’s semifinal will take place tomorrow at 3:21 PM.

Sachin Sarjerao Wins First Medal on the 7th Day of Paralympics

On the 7th day of the Paralympics, Sachin Sarjerao won his first medal in the shot put event. He earned a silver medal in the men’s F-46 category with an Asian record throw of 16.32 meters. The F-46 category is for athletes with weakened limbs, reduced muscle strength, or limited movement in their arms.

India Misses Gold in Javelin Throw Despite World Record

In the men’s F-46 category, India’s Sundar Singh Gurjar set a world record with a javelin throw of 68.60 meters. However, he could only achieve a throw of 64.96 meters during the competition, earning him a bronze medal. Ajit Singh won the silver medal with a throw of 65.62 meters.

Cuba’s Guillermo González secured the gold medal with a throw of 66.14 meters in his second attempt. India’s Rinku finished in fifth place with a throw of 61.58 meters on his final attempt. The F-46 category includes athletes with a missing or non-functional arm.

India Wins Two Medals in High Jump

In the high jump event for T-42 and T-63 categories, Sharad Kumar won the silver medal with a jump of 1.88 meters. Mariyappan Thangavelu secured third place with a jump of 1.85 meters. The gold medal was claimed by the USA’s Ezra Frech with a jump of 1.94 meters.

India’s Shailesh Kumar finished fourth with his best jump of 1.85 meters. All three Indian athletes compete in the T-42 category, which includes athletes with a missing limb or difficulty walking or running with one leg.

Deepti Jivaji Wins Bronze Medal in 400m Race

Deepti Jivaji won a bronze medal in the women’s T-20 category 400-meter race, finishing with a time of 55.82 seconds. The gold medal was awarded to Ukraine’s Yulia Shulyar with a time of 55.16 seconds, and Turkey’s Asel Ondar claimed the silver medal with a time of 55.23 seconds.

Deepti is only the second Indian athlete to win a medal in a track event at the Paralympic Games. Previously, Preeti Pal had won two bronze medals in the T-35 category for the 100-meter and 200-meter races at the same Paralympics. Today, Avani Lekhara missed out on a medal in the 50-meter shooting event.