India will send its largest contingent with 84 athletes to the Paris 2024 Paralympics, to be held from 28 August to 8 September 2024 in Paris, the capital of France. This number is a significant increase from India’s previous Paralympic representative contingent; India sent 54 athletes to Tokyo 2020, which included 14 women. This time, India has included 32 women among the 84 athletes for Paris, which marks a significant increase in the number of female players.
Medal expectations
India won 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics, which included 5 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze medals. India will be hoping to increase its medal tally for Paris 2024, especially with an increased number and diversity of the contingent.
Details of India’s delegation at the Paris 2024 Paralympics
- Para Archery (6 athletes): India’s team includes Harvinder Singh, Rakesh Kumar, Shyam Sundar Swami, Pooja, Sarita, and Shital Devi. These athletes will compete in various individual and mixed-team categories.
- Para Athletics (38 athletes): India has a strong representation in this category, which includes Deepti Jeevanjee, Sumit Antil, Sandeep, Ajeet Singh, Sundar Singh Gurjar, and others. These athletes will participate in the high jump, javelin throw, shot put, discus throw, and other track and field events.
- Para-Badminton (13 athletes): Manoj Sarkar, Krishna Nagar, Suhas Yathiraj, Sukant Kadam, and other athletes will compete in men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles categories.
- Para Canoe (3 athletes): Prachi Yadav, Yash Kumar, and Pooja Ojha will participate in various canoe events.
- Para-cycling (2 athletes): Arshad Sheikh and Jyoti Gaderia will represent India in road and track racing.
- Blind Judo (2 athletes): Kapil Parmar and Kokila will compete in the -60kg and -48kg weight categories.
- Para Powerlifting (4 athletes): Paramjeet Kumar, Ashok, Sakina Khatoon, and Kasturi Rajamani will participate in powerlifting.
- Para Rowing (2 athletes): Anitha and Narayan Konganapalle will compete in the Mixed Double Sculls event.
- Para Shooting (10 athletes): Aamir Ahmed Bhat, Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, Nihal Singh, Manish Narwal, and other athletes will participate in the pistol and rifle events.
- Para Swimming (1 athlete): Suyash Narayan Jadhav will compete in the men’s 50m butterfly event.
- Para Table Tennis (2 athletes): Sonalben Patel and Bhavinaben Patel will participate in the women’s singles and doubles events.
- Para Taekwondo (1 athlete): Aruna will compete in the women’s K44-47kg event.
Given India’s diversity and potential, expectations from the Indian contingent at the Paris 2024 Paralympics are even higher. With the country’s special strategy and preparation this time, Indian athletes are expected to perform well.