Deepa Malik to Devendra Jhajaria - Forgotten Indian Paralympians Ahead of Paris Paralympics 2024

India has a rich legacy in Paralympic sports, marked by the extraordinary achievements of athletes who have defied odds and made their mark on the global stage.

While many of these champions have received the recognition they deserve, there are several remarkable athletes whose stories may not be as well-known but are equally inspiring.

Here we shine light on some of these forgotten Indian Paralympians, celebrating their significant contributions and accomplishments.

From pioneers like Murlikant Petkar, who secured India's first Paralympic gold, to trailblazers like Devendra Jhajharia, who remains the only Indian to have won two gold medals in athletics, these athletes have played pivotal roles in shaping India's Paralympic history.

Devendra Jhajharia

Devendra Jhajharia is a trailblazer in Indian Paralympic history, being the only Indian athlete to win two gold medals in athletics. He achieved this feat at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and again at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, both in the men's javelin throw.

Jhajharia holds the world record for javelin throw at 62.15 meters and was awarded the Padma Shri, becoming the first para-athlete to receive this honor.

Murlikant Petkar

Murlikant Petkar made history as the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Paralympics. At the 1972 Heidelberg Paralympics, he won gold in the 50 meters freestyle swimming event with a world record time of 37.331 seconds. This achievement marked India's first Paralympic medal and saw the country finish 25th in the rankings.

Joginder Singh Bedi

Joginder Singh Bedi became India's first multi-medallist Paralympian at the 1984 Paralympic Games. He won silver in the men's shot put and bronze in both discus and javelin throws. Bedi's performances, alongside Bhimrao Kesarkar's silver in javelin, contributed to India's 43rd place finish out of 54 nations.

Deepa Malik

Deepa Malik broke new ground as the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal. At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, she secured a silver medal in the F53 shot put event, setting a precedent for women in Indian Paralympic sports and inspiring many with her perseverance and success.

Ekta Bhyan

Ekta Bhyan has made significant contributions to Indian athletics in the women's club and discus throw events. She won gold at the 2018 Asian Para Games and qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Bhyan also won a bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championships 2023 in Paris and has dominated domestic competitions.

Rajinder Singh Rahelu

Rajinder Singh Rahelu is a prominent Paralympic powerlifter who won a bronze medal in the 56 kg category at the 2004 Athens Paralympics. He represented India at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympics, receiving the Arjuna Award for his achievements. Despite a challenging performance in London, his earlier successes remain notable.

Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda

Girish Hosanagara Nagarajegowda, known as Girish N. Gowda, won a silver medal in the men's high jump F-42 category at the 2012 London Paralympics. With a jump of 1.74 meters, he became the first Indian to medal in this event, marking a significant achievement in Indian Paralympic history.