Indian Paralympic athletes were given a grand welcome at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport following their record-breaking performance at the Paris Paralympics. On Saturday morning, half of the Indian contingent, including notable athletes such as Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, Pranav Soorma, Rakesh Kumar, and Manish Narwal, returned home. Fans gathered in large numbers to greet the athletes, showering them with flower petals as a gesture of celebration and pride.
This remarkable homecoming follows India’s historic performance at the Paris Paralympics, which began on August 28 and will conclude on September 8. The Indian contingent has so far secured a total of 27 medals, including six gold, nine silver, and 12 bronze medals, making it India’s best-ever performance at a Paralympics. This impressive tally surpassed the five gold medals won in Tokyo 2020, setting a new benchmark for Indian Paralympic sports.
Individual Achievements:
- Avani Lekhara, the reigning Paralympic champion, continued her stellar performance by winning gold in the women’s 10m air rifle final. She made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympics.
- Mona Agarwal, a para shooter participating in her first Paralympics, won a bronze medal in the same event as Lekhara. She expressed her joy at the love and support she received and was proud of her debut performance.
- Rakesh Kumar, a para-archer, credited his victory to his coaches. Along with Sheetal Devi, he won the bronze medal in the Mixed Team Compound event, defeating Italy’s Eleonora Sarti and Matteo Bonnacina by a narrow margin of 156-155. Rakesh vowed to work harder for the next Paralympics.
These athletes are part of India’s broader success in the Games, where Indian para-athletes collectively earned 15 medals, including three gold, six silver, and six bronze medals. Their outstanding achievements have brought immense pride to the nation and reflect the hard work and dedication of both the athletes and their support teams.
This success story of Indian athletes at the Paris Paralympics highlights the progress of India’s Paralympic movement and sets a high standard for future competitions. With more athletes set to return after the conclusion of the Games, the celebrations will continue as India cements its place as a rising force in Paralympic sports on the global stage.
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