India's Medal Hopefuls at Paris 2024 Paralympics: Who are the Athletes to Watch?

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As India gears up for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the anticipation is high with the country's largest ever contingent set to compete. Scheduled from August 28 to September 8, 2024, the Games will feature 84 Indian athletes, a significant increase from the 54 who participated in Tokyo 2020.

This expanded team, including 32 women, signifies a broader representation and greater hope for success across 12 sports, with three new additions: para cycling, para rowing, and blind judo.

India's Paralympic journey has been marked by notable achievements, and Paris 2024 is expected to continue this trend. The 2020 Games were a historic milestone, with India securing 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes. This performance remains the country's best to date. Building on this success, several athletes are poised to make a significant impact in Paris, showcasing their talents and potentially adding to India's medal tally.

Here are some of the key Indian medal hopefuls for Paris 2024:

1. Avani Lekhara: Para-Shooting

Avani Lekhara made history at Tokyo 2020 as the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic gold. She excelled in the 10m air rifle SH1 event and also won bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1. Lekhara's continued dominance in shooting is highly anticipated as she returns to defend her titles in Paris.

2. Sumit Antil: Para-Athletics

Sumit Antil, the gold medalist in the men's F64 javelin throw at Tokyo 2020, is a two-time world champion and holds the world record in his category. Antil's exceptional form and previous successes make him a leading contender for gold in Paris.

3. Manish Narwal: Para-Shooting

Manish Narwal clinched gold in the mixed 50m pistol SH1 event at Tokyo 2020. His sharp shooting skills and previous accolades place him among the top competitors in Paris.

4. Krishna Nagar: Para-Badminton

Krishna Nagar secured gold in the men's singles SH6 at Tokyo 2020. His exceptional performance and previous successes make him a strong candidate for a medal in Paris.

5. Sheetal Devi: Para-Archery

At 17, Sheetal Devi is a rising star in para-archery. She won gold in the individual compound and mixed team compound events at the 2022 Asian Para Games, and her strong performances make her a promising medal hopeful for Paris.

6. Mandeep Kaur: Para-Badminton

Mandeep Kaur, 28, earned a bronze in women's singles at the 2022 World Championships and has shown impressive form in doubles categories. Her consistent performance and experience position her well for success in Paris.

7. Suyash Jadhav: Para-Swimming

Suyash Jadhav, a prominent para-swimmer, won gold in the 50m butterfly at the Asian Para Games. He will compete in multiple events, including the 50m freestyle and 100m backstroke, aiming to build on his past successes.

8. Harvinder Singh: Para-Archery

Harvinder Singh won a bronze medal in the individual recurve open event at Tokyo 2020 and replicated his success at the Asian Para Games. His continued excellence in archery makes him a strong contender for medals in Paris.

9. Manasi Joshi: Para-Badminton

Manasi Joshi, a seven-time World Championships medallist and a top-ranked player in women's singles, is a key figure in para-badminton. Her achievements and competitive edge make her a significant medal hopeful for Paris.

10. Mona Agarwal: Para-Shooting

Mona Agarwal, specializing in the women's 10m air rifle SH1 category, has recently won gold at the World Cup. Her consistent performance and recent successes place her as a strong contender for medals in Paris.