Latest 2024 Paris Paralympics News | Top 2024 Paris Paralympics News Headlines Today | Today India news | Breaking 2024 Paris Paralympics News Today | English 2024 Paris Paralympics News Headlines - TheDailyGuardian

India’s Paris Paralympics Medallists Receive Cash Rewards of Up to Rs 75 Lakh

September 12, 2024, 3:54 pm

India’s Paris Paralympics medallists were felicitated on Tuesday with cash awards from the Sports Ministry, recognizing the athletes’ historic performances. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya presented Rs 75 lakh to each gold medallist, Rs 50 lakh to silver medallists, and Rs 30 lakh to bronze winners during a ceremony honoring the country’s best-ever Paralympic campaign.

Mixed team event athletes, like armless archer Sheetal Devi, who won bronze with Rakesh Kumar, were awarded Rs 22.5 lakh. The event, organized to celebrate the achievements of India’s Paralympians, saw para-athletes being commended for their outstanding performances, which included 29 medals—seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze—at the Paris Paralympics.

Minister Mandaviya praised the athletes for their resilience and pledged full government support as they prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. “The country is rising in Paralympics and para sports. From 4 medals in 2016, India won 19 medals in Tokyo and now 29 in Paris,” said Mandaviya. “We will provide all necessary facilities so that we can win even more medals, especially gold, in Los Angeles 2028.”

Addressing the athletes, Mandaviya urged them to continue their efforts. “You have brought laurels to the country by overcoming life’s challenges. But the journey doesn’t end here. Our focus should now be on the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics and beyond, with the hope of delivering our best performance when India potentially hosts the Olympics and Paralympics in 2036.”

India’s Paralympic Committee President, Devendra Jhajharia, attributed the country’s rise as a Paralympic powerhouse to the collective efforts of players, coaches, and other stakeholders.

Gold medallists, including javelin throwers Sumit Antil and Navdeep Singh, vowed to defend their titles in LA 2028. Other top performers, such as high jumper Praveen Kumar, club thrower Dharambir Nain, and archer Harvinder Singh, were also among those who received their cash awards.

Notably, athletes from other sports like shooting and badminton had already been felicitated after their return from Paris, including gold medallist Avani Lekhara and shuttler Nitesh Kumar, who were absent from the event.

India’s remarkable 18th place finish at the Paris Paralympics marked a new chapter in the nation’s sports history, with hopes high for further success in upcoming global competitions.

I Hugged Him’ Navdeep Singh on Iranian Athlete’s Disqualification

September 9, 2024, 9:14 am

The men’s javelin F41 final at the Paris Paralympics ended in controversy when Iranian athlete Sadegh Beit Sayah, who initially won gold, was disqualified for displaying a controversial flag. His “improper conduct” led to India’s Navdeep Singh’s silver medal being upgraded to gold, marking India’s seventh gold at the Paris Para Games.

Iranian athlete Beit Sayah Sadegh has been disqualified for displaying the Hamas flag , It's a belt treatment for terrorist sympathizer???. As a result, Navdeep Singh's silver medal has been upgraded to gold! India has secured its seventh gold medal in Paris! #navdeepsingh… https://t.co/cSl3klLHtP pic.twitter.com/ChSKub3CmI

— Brinjal (@Yours_Brinjal) September 7, 2024

Though Navdeep was thrilled with his upgraded gold, he was deeply moved when he saw Sayah break down after learning his victory had been voided due to the flag gesture. Unaware of the exact reason for the disqualification at the time, Navdeep became emotional seeing his opponent in tears and decided to console him with a hug.

Navdeep shared, “I was shocked when the red card was shown to the Iranian athlete. He was crying, and I became emotional too. I went to him and hugged him to comfort him. I still didn’t fully understand what had happened and the reason behind such a big decision.”

Paris Paralympics: Hokato Sema Wins Bronze for India in Men’s F57 Shot Put Final

September 7, 2024, 3:45 am

Indian para-athlete Hokato Hotozhe Sema won a bronze medal in the men’s shot put F57 final at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday. Hokato achieved a personal best with a throw of 14.65 meters. Iran’s Yashin Khosravi claimed the gold medal with a throw of 15.96 meters, while Brazil’s Thiago Paulino dos Santos took silver with a throw of 15.06 meters. Another Indian competitor, Soman Rana, finished fifth with his best throw of 14.07 meters.

In the women’s F46 javelin throw final, Indian para-athlete Bhavanaben Chaudhary finished in fifth place. She recorded a best throw of 39.70 meters but did not make it to the podium. Venezuela’s Naibys Daniela Morillo Gil won gold with a Paralympic record-breaking throw of 43.77 meters. Uzbekistan’s Shahinakhon Yigitalieva took silver with an Asian record throw of 43.12 meters, and Great Britain’s Hollie Arnold secured bronze with a throw of 40.59 meters.

Simran Sharma continued to shine in the women’s 200m T12 semifinals, securing first place with a time of 25.03 seconds, which earned her a spot in the finals scheduled for Saturday at 11:04 PM IST.

On Friday, Praveen Kumar brought home gold in the men’s high jump T64 final, setting a new Asian record with a jump of 2.08 meters. The USA’s Derek Loccident took silver with a jump of 2.06 meters, breaking the Paralympic record set by Japan’s Toru Suzuki in 2021. Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov earned bronze with a jump of 2.03 meters, achieving a personal best.

India’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics has now reached 27, including six gold, nine silver, and 12 bronze medals. This surpasses the country’s previous best of five gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Indian para-athletes have particularly excelled this year, contributing three golds, six silvers, and six bronzes to the total of 15 medals.

India has sent its largest-ever Paralympic contingent to Paris, with 84 athletes competing in 12 sports. This increased participation reflects the country’s growing commitment to para-sports. With 19 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes, India is aiming to build on its past success and achieve even greater results in Paris.

Harvinder Singh Makes History as the First Indian Archer to Win a Paralympic Gold Medal

September 5, 2024, 6:33 am

In a landmark achievement for Indian sports, Harvinder Singh has become the first archer from India to clinch a gold medal at the Paralympic Games. Singh’s historic win marks a significant milestone in the country’s sporting history and highlights the growing prominence of para-athletes on the global stage.

Competing in the archery event at the latest Paralympic Games, Singh showcased exceptional skill and determination, ultimately securing the top position on the podium. His victory is not only a personal triumph but also a source of immense pride for India, symbolizing the breaking of new ground in a sport that has seen limited representation from the country at this level.

Singh’s performance has been met with widespread acclaim, with sports enthusiasts and officials alike celebrating his achievement. This gold medal represents a breakthrough for Indian archery in the Paralympics and sets a new benchmark for future athletes.

The success of Harvinder Singh underscores the importance of supporting and investing in para-athletes, who continue to inspire with their remarkable achievements and resilience. As India looks forward to more such accomplishments, Singh’s historic win will be remembered as a defining moment in the nation’s sporting journey.

Paris Paralympics: India Continues Podium Success with Dharambir Winning Gold and Pranav Claiming Silver

September 5, 2024, 5:26 am

India’s impressive streak of double podium finishes continued at the Paris Paralympics, with para-athletes Dharambir and Pranav Soorma securing gold and silver medals, respectively, in the men’s club throw F51 final. This latest success has propelled India’s total medal count to 24, comprising five gold, nine silver, and ten bronze medals. The Indian team is now just one medal shy of reaching the 25-medal target set by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia.

Dharambir’s exceptional performance included a record-breaking throw of 34.92 meters, setting a new Asian record and earning him the gold medal. His result matched India’s gold tally from the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago. Pranav Soorma, who threw 34.59 meters, narrowly missed out on gold but secured silver. The podium result was a reversal of last year’s Para Asian Games, where Pranav had won gold and Dharambir had taken silver.

Amit Kumar Saroha, the third Indian competitor in the event, did not manage to reach the podium, with his best throw being 23.96 meters. Dharambir’s path to victory was particularly dramatic, as he initially struggled but broke the Asian record with his fifth throw. He also made a significant second attempt of 31.59 meters.

In addition to this success, Serbia’s Zeljko Dimitrijevic, a strong competitor with a history of winning medals, claimed the bronze with a throw of 34.18 meters.

On Tuesday, India enjoyed more podium finishes with Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar winning silver and bronze in the men’s javelin throw F46, and Mariyappan Thangavelu and Sharad Kumar taking bronze and silver in the men’s high jump T6 final.

Earlier in the week, para-archer Harvinder Singh made history by securing India’s first-ever gold medal in para-archery at the Paralympics. Additionally, para-shooter Avani Lekhra earned the nation’s first gold at the Paris Games with a stellar performance in the women’s 10m air rifle final, while para-shuttler Nitesh Kumar won gold in the men’s singles SL3 category. Javelin thrower Sumit Antil also contributed to India’s gold tally with a record-breaking throw of 70.59 meters in the javelin throw F64 class final.

JK Rowling’s ‘Cheat’ Allegation Against Valentina Petrillo Sparks Controversy At Paris Paralympics

September 4, 2024, 4:17 pm

Tears and Controversy at the Paris Paralympics

Transgender sprinter Valentina Petrillo faced a wave of controversy and emotional distress after failing to advance to the finals in the women’s T12 400m race at the Paris Paralympics. Petrillo, a 50-year-old Italian athlete who previously competed as a male, made headlines not only for her performance but also for the intense debate surrounding her participation.

Why all the anger about the inspirational Petrillo? The cheat community has never had this kind of visibility! Out and proud cheats like Petrillo prove the era of cheat-shaming is over. What a role model! I say we give Lance Armstrong his medals back and move on. #Cheats #NoShame pic.twitter.com/bvqhs3DexI

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) September 2, 2024

Historic Debut and Emotional Setback

Petrillo, who transitioned in 2019 and has been competing in para-sport since 2015, was the first transgender athlete to compete in the Paralympic Games. Despite her efforts and reaching the semi-finals, she did not make it to the final, finishing behind competitors Hajar Safarzadeh Ghahderijani of Iran and Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez of Venezuela.

Her participation sparked significant backlash, including criticism from high-profile figures such as author JK Rowling, who labeled Petrillo as a “cheat” on social media. This critique comes in the wake of ongoing debates over fairness and inclusion in sports, particularly following scrutiny around the participation of transgender athletes.

Background and Response

Diagnosed with Stargardt disease at age 14, Petrillo initially stopped running but resumed her athletic career after her transition, finding success with bronze medals in the 200 and 400 meters at the 2023 World Championships. Her Paralympic debut was seen as a milestone for transgender athletes, though it has also drawn substantial criticism.

In a heartfelt statement, Petrillo expressed hope that her son would be proud of her achievements, despite the controversies. “I’m a little down, but I hope my son will be proud of me. This is important to me because he has a trans dad,” she said.

Policy and Debate

Petrillo’s participation aligns with the World Para Athletics association’s rules, which permit individuals legally recognized as women to compete in female categories. This policy contrasts with the World Athletics’ criteria, which has more restrictive guidelines for transgender athletes.

Despite the backlash, Petrillo remains resolute, emphasizing the importance of visibility and inclusion for transgender individuals in sports. “If I make it, everyone can make it,” she asserted, underscoring the broader fight against discrimination and prejudice faced by transgender people.

Deepthi Jeevanji Called ‘Monkey’ By Villagers, Achieve Paralympics

September 4, 2024, 11:53 am

The Paris Paralympics 2024 has showcased the incredible achievements of athletes overcoming significant challenges. Among these inspiring stories is that of Deepthi Jeevanji, who recently earned the 16th medal for India by securing bronze in the women’s 400m T20 final. Jeevanji completed the race in 55.82 seconds, demonstrating extraordinary resilience and skill.

Overcoming Adversity and Taunts

Deepthi Jeevanji’s journey to the Paralympics has been marked by significant personal and societal challenges. Born with an intellectual disability, Deepthi Jeevanji faced harsh criticism and ridicule from her village. Described by some as “pichi” (mental) and “kothi” (monkey), she and her family endured considerable hardship. Despite these obstacles, Jeevanji’s perseverance has led her to this momentous achievement on the world stage.

Family’s Struggles and Support

Deepthi’s parents, Jeevanji Yadhagiri and Jeevanji Dhanalaxmi, have shared the emotional and financial struggles they faced. The family’s situation became dire after the death of Jeevanji’s father, forcing them to sell their farm and cope with meager earnings. Despite these difficulties, they provided unwavering support for Deepthi, who was often comforted with her favorite foods during tough times.

A Triumph Worth Celebrating

Deepthi Jeevanji’s success at the Paris Paralympics is a source of immense pride and joy for her family. Her father, Yadhagiri, expressed deep emotion over her victory, highlighting the significance of this achievement for their family. Although he had to work on the day of the race, his thoughts were with Deepthi, and he looked forward to celebrating her success with loved ones.

From Local Taunts to International Glory

Deepthi Jeevanji’s triumph serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity. Her story is not just one of personal success but also an inspiring example of how determination and family support can lead to extraordinary achievements on the global stage.

Paris Paralympics: India Breaks Tokyo Record with Five Medals in A Day

September 4, 2024, 11:04 am

Indian para-athletes have achieved a historic milestone at the Paris Paralympics by surpassing their previous highest medal tally of 19 from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. With 20 medals now secured, including three gold, seven silver, and ten bronze, India has set a new record for the most medals won in a single Paralympic Games and could potentially add more to their count.

Record Medal Haul

On Monday and Tuesday, India’s athletes won 13 medals, pushing their total to a record 20. In comparison, during the Tokyo Paralympics held from August 24 to September 5, 2021, India achieved its best medal tally with 19 medals—five gold, eight silver, and six bronze.

Key Performances

Avani Lekhara won India’s first gold at the Paris Paralympics with a dominant performance in the women’s 10m air rifle, scoring 249.7 points, which was also her personal best. Mona Agarwal secured the bronze in the same event.

Manish Narwal earned a silver medal in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1 with 234.9 points. Despite dropping to sixth place midway, Narwal rallied to finish with a silver.

Rubina Francis took bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol SH-1 final, and Preeti Pal won bronze in both the 100m T35 and 200m T35 races, delivering strong performances.

Nishad Kumar clinched silver in the men’s high jump T47 with a leap of 2.04m, while Yogesh Kathuniya won silver in the men’s discus throw F56.

The Indian archery team of Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi won bronze in the mixed team compound event.

Sumit Antil defended his gold in the men’s javelin throw F64 with a record-breaking performance.

Nithya Sre Sivan won bronze in the women’s SH6 para-badminton category, defeating Indonesia’s Rina Marlina for her first Paralympic medal.

In men’s singles SL3 para-badminton, Nitesh triumphed over Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell to claim gold. Thulasimathi Murugesan secured silver in the women’s singles SU5, and Manisha won bronze in the same category.

Deepthi Jeevanji bagged a bronze in the women’s 400m T20, adding to India’s medal count.

Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu achieved a double podium finish in the men’s high jump T6. Sharad won silver with a leap of 1.88m, while Mariyappan took bronze with 1.85m.

In men’s javelin throw F46, Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar won silver and bronze, respectively. Ajeet’s personal best throw of 65.62m secured him the silver, and Sundar’s season-best throw of 64.96m earned him bronze.

India’s exceptional performance at the Paris Paralympics highlights the country’s growing prowess in para-sports and sets a new benchmark for future competitions.

Paris 2024 Paralympics: Kareena Kapoor, Ayushmann Khurrana, and others praise Avani Lekhara for winning GOLD in rifle shooting

August 31, 2024, 4:53 am

Indian para-athletes have made the nation proud at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024, with a historic achievement on Friday. India secured four medals in total—one gold, one silver, and two bronze. Avani Lekhara won the gold medal in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 final, marking a significant milestone. Bollywood celebrities, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ayushmann Khurrana, and others, took to social media to celebrate Avani’s remarkable victory.

In addition to Avani’s gold, debutant Mona Agarwal earned a bronze medal in the same air rifle category. Manish Narwal achieved silver in the men’s air rifle event, while Preethi Pal won bronze in the Women’s T25-100m event. Notably, Preethi is the first Indian para-athlete to achieve this feat.

On August 30, Kareena Kapoor Khan shared her congratulations on Instagram, posting a collage of the four medalists—Avani, Mona, Manish, and Preethi. Her Instagram story read, “Huge congratulations” with red heart and tricolor emojis, tagging the athletes in her post.

Ayushmann Khurrana also celebrated the achievements, sharing pictures of the winners and expressing his pride. His Instagram story noted, “What an amazing day for India at the Paralympics. Feeling super proud,” alongside congratulatory messages for the athletes.

Sonali Bendre, known for her roles in films like Hum Saath-Saath Hain and Sarfarosh, joined in the celebration. She posted a collage of Avani and Mona with their medals on Instagram, congratulating them and stating, “Medals are home again,” accompanied by red heart and tricolor emojis.

Producer Jackky Bhagnani and actress Rakul Preet Singh also conveyed their congratulations. Jackky called the achievements “phenomenal,” praising Avani and Mona for their extraordinary success and inspiring performances. Rakul Preet shared a collage of the air rifle champions, highlighting Avani’s double gold and Mona’s bronze. She described the moment as “inspiring” and applauded their hard work and dedication.

Sonu Sood took to X to share his pride in Avani and Mona, posting a picture of the two athletes showing their victory signs and tweeting, “Proud of you both.”

Proud of you both ??
#Paralympics2024 pic.twitter.com/bPX6pkRKbx

— sonu sood (@SonuSood) August 30, 2024

Avani Lekhara’s latest triumph makes her the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games. In the final, she scored 249.7, setting a new Paralympic record and surpassing her previous record of 249.6 from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Congratulations to all the medalists at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024 for their outstanding performances and historic achievements.

Paris Paralympics 2024: Coach Celebrates Avani Lekhara’s Historic Medal, ‘India’s Golden Girl’

August 30, 2024, 7:20 pm

India celebrated a remarkable day at the 2024 Paris Paralympics as Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal clinched gold and bronze, respectively, in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle SH-1 event. The achievements of these talented shooters have added to India’s growing legacy in the Paralympic Games.

Avani Lekhara: Back-to-Back Golds for India’s Golden Girl

Avani Lekhara once again proved her mettle by winning her second consecutive Paralympic gold, solidifying her status as India’s “Golden Girl.” Her performance in the R2 – Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event was nothing short of spectacular. This victory marks another milestone in her illustrious career, as she became the first Indian woman to win three Paralympic medals.

Coach Suma Shirur, who has been training Avani at the Lakshya Shooting Club since 2018, expressed her pride and excitement. “Many congratulations to all of us! Back-to-back golds in consecutive Paralympics for India’s Golden Girl, Avani Lekhara. Respect for her incredible achievement. What a team – Champion Avani and Lakshya Shooting Club,” she remarked.

Avani’s journey in shooting began in 2015, inspired by Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra. Her dedication quickly propelled her to the top of the sport, and she has since set world records at both junior and senior levels. Avani’s stellar performances in Tokyo 2020, where she won gold in the 10m Air Rifle SH-1 and bronze in the 50m rifle event, made her the first female para-athlete from India to win two medals in a single edition of the Paralympics. Her achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri and Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna.

Mona Agarwal: A Stellar Bronze Performance

Mona Agarwal also delivered a commendable performance, securing the bronze medal in the same event. Her determination and skill earned her a place on the podium, adding another proud moment for India at the Paris Paralympics.

Coach Suma Shirur lauded Mona’s achievement, highlighting the strength of the Indian para-shooting team. “Mona Agarwal also did a fantastic job, winning the bronze,” she said.

Avani Lekhara’s outstanding achievements have garnered widespread recognition. The Rajasthan government appointed her as an Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) in the Forest Department, and she was named the brand ambassador for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign under the Women and Child Development Department. Industrialist Anand Mahindra also gifted her a customized XUV-700, acknowledging her accomplishments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both athletes for their success. “India opens its medal account in the Paralympics 2024! Congratulations to Avani Lekhara for winning the coveted Gold in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event. She also creates history as she is the 1st Indian woman athlete to win 3 Paralympic medals! Her dedication continues to make India proud,” he wrote on X.

The Prime Minister also praised Mona Agarwal for her bronze medal, stating, “Congratulations to Mona Agarwal on winning the Bronze medal in the R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event at the Paris Paralympics 2024! Her remarkable achievement reflects her dedication and quest for excellence. India is proud of Mona.”

Avani and Mona’s achievements have not only brought pride to India but have also inspired countless aspiring athletes. Their journey to the podium in Paris is a testament to their hard work, resilience, and the unwavering support they have received from their coaches and the nation.