India concluded its most successful Paralympic campaign at the Paris 2024 Games on Sunday, marking a significant achievement in the country’s sporting history. The final Indian athlete to compete, Pooja Ojha, was unable to advance to the women’s kayak 200m final, ending India’s participation in the event. Despite this, India secured an impressive tally of 29 medals, comprising seven golds, nine silvers, and 13 bronze. This performance placed India 18th in the overall standings, marking a substantial improvement compared to previous years. In stark contrast, neighboring Pakistan ended their Paralympic campaign tied at the bottom of the table, finishing in 79th place with only one bronze medal.
India’s strong showing in the 2024 Paralympic Games saw them surpass several well-established countries such as Switzerland, Belgium, South Korea, Turkey, and Argentina. India’s leap into the top 20 countries worldwide demonstrated the country’s growing prowess in Paralympic sports, an achievement that has spurred optimism for even greater success at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
In comparison, the dominant powers of the Paralympics — China, Great Britain, the USA, and Italy — continued their reign, finishing among the top 10 nations. While India has shown marked progress, these countries have consistently performed at the highest levels, reinforcing their positions as traditional Paralympic heavyweights.
India’s 29th and final medal came on Saturday, thanks to a stellar performance from Navdeep Singh, who secured a gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F41 classification. Navdeep, competing in a category for athletes of short stature, initially finished with a silver medal after throwing a personal best of 47.32 meters. This performance was enough to surpass China’s Sun Pengxiang, the world record holder, who recorded a throw of 44.72 meters.
However, Navdeep’s silver medal was upgraded to gold following the disqualification of Iran’s Sadegh Beit Sayah. Sayah, who had taken the lead with a new Paralympic record of 47.64 meters during his penultimate throw, was disqualified for repeatedly displaying a politically objectionable flag during the event. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has strict regulations prohibiting political gestures during competitions, and Sayah’s actions resulted in his removal from the final results. Navdeep’s gold, therefore, became an extraordinary outcome, representing India’s commitment and sportsmanship at the Games.
At the same venue, Simran added to India’s medal tally by clinching bronze in the women’s 200m (T12) event, setting a personal best time of 24.75 seconds. Simran, who is guided by Abhay Singh due to her visual impairment, had a remarkable showing, particularly after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the 100m event earlier in the competition. This bronze medal provided a sense of redemption for Simran, who is the reigning world champion in her event.
Simran’s Paralympic journey began early in life, as she was born visually impaired due to premature birth. Her determination and hard work have led to a distinguished career, highlighted by her achievements in the 100m and 200m sprint events. Despite narrowly missing the podium in the 100m event, Simran’s perseverance paid off with a bronze in the 200m, demonstrating her resilience. Simran’s success is part of a broader trend of excellence in track-and-field events for India, which contributed 17 of the country’s total 29 medals, four of them gold.
Track-and-field continues to be a cornerstone of India’s Paralympic efforts, with athletes excelling in a variety of events. India’s 15th-place standing in this specific category reflects the depth and talent the country has nurtured in recent years. China, however, dominated the overall standings with a staggering total of 208 medals, including 90 golds. This placed them far ahead of any other nation, showcasing their continued dominance in Paralympic sports.
Navdeep’s gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is particularly sweet given his fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Games, a result that had left him heartbroken. His redemption in Paris not only brought him personal satisfaction but also added a significant highlight to India’s historic campaign. Since taking up javelin in 2017, Navdeep has amassed several accolades, including five national medals and a bronze at the Para World Championships earlier this year. His gold in Paris solidifies his position as one of India’s premier Paralympians.
Navdeep’s day job as an inspector in the Income Tax Department may seem ordinary, but his sporting achievements have made him an extraordinary figure in India’s Paralympic community. His rise to the top is a testament to his dedication and perseverance, qualities that have earned him respect both on and off the field.
Simran’s story is equally inspiring. Her two silver medals at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year, followed by a sweep of gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and long jump events at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, showcase her consistency and growth as an athlete. Simran’s journey is deeply intertwined with her personal life, as she is coached by her husband, Naik Gajendra Singh. Their partnership has clearly yielded success, and Simran’s bronze medal at the Paris Paralympics adds yet another chapter to her impressive athletic career.
While India’s performance at the Paris Paralympic Games has been the country’s best to date, there is a sense of anticipation about what the future holds. With many young athletes emerging and others, like Navdeep and Simran, continuing to shine, India’s prospects for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles look promising. As the country builds on its successes, there is hope that the next Paralympic campaign will bring even greater glory to Indian sports.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have been a watershed moment for India, marking the country’s most successful outing yet. With 29 medals, including seven golds, India has demonstrated its growing strength on the international Paralympic stage. As athletes like Navdeep Singh and Simran continue to inspire the nation, the future of Indian Paralympic sports appears brighter than ever.
