Paris Paralympics 2024: Sachin Khilari Wins Silver in Men's Shot Put F46 Event, Takes India's Medal Tally to 21

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Sachin Khilari won a silver medal in the men's shot put F46 event at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024 at the Stade de France in Paris on Wednesday (September 4).

Sachin secured the second spot in the men's shot put F46 final with a 16.32-metre throw, which is also the area record (AR). However, the Indian para athlete was just shy of a 0.6m in claiming the top spot on the podium.

Canada's Greg Stewart clinched the gold medal with a throw of 16.38 metres, it was also his season-best (SB) performance. Meanwhile, Croatia's Luka Bakovic sealed the bronze medal with a 16.27-metre throw.

Stewart had finished second to Khilari in the World Para-Athletics Championships in Kobe in May, and the tables were turned at Stade de France on Wednesday.

F46 classification is for athletes with arm deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement in arms, with athletes competing in a standing position.

"I had wanted to win the gold medal, but it did not happen. It's my best distance but I am not satisfied. I feel I could have done better. It was not my day," Khilari said after winning the silver medal.

"It was a tough competition and Greg Stewart is a great player. I made small mistakes in my technique. I will work harder and I hope to beat him next time."

Sachin's compatriots Mohd. Yasser and Rohit Kumar finished eighth and ninth respectively in the same event with best throws of 14.21m and 14.16m. However, the Asian Para Games champion Sachin lived up to his reputation and won a medal.

In the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Sachin won the gold medal. He secured the top spot in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the World Para Athletics Championship.

Indian para-athletes have scripted history in Paris by surpassing their highest medal tally of 19 in the Tokyo edition of the Paralympics three years ago. It has been raining medals in the past few days for India in Paris.

Khilari's silver is the 11th medal from para-athletics in the ongoing Games and took India's overall tally to 21, including three gold.

On September 2 and 3, India added 13 medals to their tally. The Indian contingent has added 21 medals to its constantly growing tally and will have an opportunity to further extend its record medal haul in a single edition of the Paralympics.

However, there was a little disappointment from the other sports as shooters and table tennis player failed to progress into medal rounds on Wednesday (September 4).

Tokyo 2020 silver medallist table tennis player Bhavina Patel lost in the quarterfinal against China's Zhou Ying 1-3 (12-14, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11) in 33 minutes. Shooters Nihal Singh and Rudransh Khandelwal failed to qualify for the mixed P4 50m pistol SH1 event.