PARIS, Aug 29: Javelin throw star Sumit Antil and shot-putter Bhagyashri Jadhav led the Indian contingent out in the athletes’ parade of the Paralympic Games’ opening ceremony, a four-hour long spectacle which began at the Champs-Elysees avenue and concluded at the Place de la Concorde here.
French President Emmanuel Macron declared the Games open. The 179-strong Indian contingent, which is the largest ever in the nation’s Paralympic history, features 84 athletes in 12 different sports.
Antil, who won the javelin gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, had the honour of being the flag-bearer alongside Jadhav, a silver-medallist in shot-put at the Asian Para Games in China.
The opening ceremony was an ode to diversity, resilience, and spirit of competition, and featured performances that highlighted French culture and the Paralympic values of determination and equality.
India had won 19 medals, including five gold at the previous edition of the Games, and the country is hoping to take the number to at least 25 with a double digit haul of gold medals.
Several proven performers are in the team, including rifle shooter Avani Lekhara (10m Air Rifle Standing SH1), who became the first woman to win a Paralympic gold in Tokyo.
Other podium contenders include para-archer Sheetal Devi, who shoots with her legs as she was born without arms, landmine blast survivors Hokato Sema (shot putter) and Narayana Konganapalle (rower).
India’s ambition has been powered by the strong performance in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year when the country won a record 111 medals, including 29 gold.
Over 4,000 athletes with various physical and intellectual disabilities will compete in the showpiece that will conclude on September 8.
“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed,” International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons said in his speech.
Cyclist Jyoti Gaderiya finishes 10th
India’s Jyoti Gaderiya bowed out of the women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit cycling event after finishing 10th and last in the qualifying round of the Paris Olympics on Thursday.
Jyoti clocked 4 minute 53.929 second to complete the 3000m distance at 10th spot.
China’s Wang Xiaomei (3:44.660) and Great Britain’s Daphne Schrager (3:45.133) will contest for the gold after finishing first and second respectively in the qualifying round.
Germany’s Maike Hausberger (3:49.444) and Switzerland’s Flurina Rigling (3:50.347) will fight for the bronze after finishing third and fourth respectively.
The riders with the two fastest times will race for gold, while the next two fastest compete for bronze.
In para-cycling, athletes with cerebral palsy, limb impairments and amputations compete in five categories of C1 to C5. C1 athletes have the most severe limitation while those in C5 meet the minimum impairment criteria.
Aruna Tanwar loses in Taekwondo Round of 16
India’s Aruna Tanwar suffered a heavy 0-19 defeat to Nurcihan Ekinci of Turkey in a round of 16 contest in women’s K 44-47kg category of the Paris Paralympics on Thursday.
Aruna was absolutely no match to her opponent from Turkey who garnered points at will in the five-minute round.
Ekinci scored two points from body kick nine times during the contest while the Indian also conceded one penalty point (gam-jeom).
K44 category includes athletes who have impairments in one arm above the elbow. (PTI)
