Record-breaking medal haul signify India’s Paralympic ascension

Inspirational, remarkable, and unyielding!

India's Paralympians embodied all these qualities and more during their historic campaign at the Paris Games. With an unprecedented haul of 29 medals, including seven gold, they concluded the competition ranked 18th overall, an all-time high for the nation.

The tally also comprised nine silver and 13 bronze medals, but more significantly, it was a performance that made history nearly every day. The contingent truly embodied the Games' motto, 'Spirit in Motion,' demonstrating exceptional prowess and determination.

"I can confidently say that this time we will win more than 25 medals" - this claim by Devendra Jhajharia, the first Indian para-athlete to win two Paralympic gold medals and now the President of the Paralympic Committee of India, drew skepticism given India's 19 medals in Tokyo.

The ambitious forecast seemed overly optimistic, yet, just ten days later, India concluded the Paris Paralympics with a historic 29 medals, one shy of the 30 medals the country had amassed since its Paralympic debut in 1968. Jhajharia's prediction was thus validated, with India surpassing his initial forecast by four medals.

To appreciate the significance of this achievement, it is essential to contrast it with Jhajharia's own Paralympic journey from two decades ago. In 2004, Jhajharia funded his own trip to the Athens Paralympics, where he returned as a gold medalist.

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At that time, his triumph went largely uncelebrated, with no formal recognition or even a garland. Fast forward to 2024, and India's para-athletes received a hero's welcome, complete with traditional celebrations, dhols, garlands, and formal receptions, reflecting a dramatic shift in recognition and respect for their achievements.

Truth be told, a pivotal moment in this transformation was the 2016 Rio Paralympics, which marked India's best performance in three decades with four medals. Remarkably, Indian para-athletes secured two more medals than their able-bodied counterparts at the 2016 Olympics.

The success in Rio brought para-sports into the national spotlight, leading to widespread recognition and support. Jhajharia, Mariyappan Thangavelu, Deepa Malik, and Varun Bhati became household names, their stories broadcasted on prime-time television and serving as inspiration for many. The enhanced visibility and success attracted significant financial rewards: Jhajharia received over ₹1 crore along with land from both central and state governments, while Malik was awarded ₹4 crore by the Haryana government. Their achievements not only validated the potential of para-sports but also inspired others, including young talents like Nithya Sre Sivan. Watching the 2016 Paralympics as an 11-year-old ignited her passion for para-badminton, leading to her winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympics in women's singles SH6.

The success of Indian para-athletes can be attributed in part to the support provided by the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which was pivotal for many of them. Introduced in 2019, TOPS offered unprecedented support by helping athletes train abroad, access specialized equipment, participate in international events, and receive a monthly stipend of ₹50,000. This support was crucial for athletes like Sumit Antil, who won javelin gold in both Tokyo and Paris, and Sharad Kumar, who secured high jump bronze in Tokyo and silver in Paris. The impact of TOPS is evident across the board.

Consider Nishad Kumar, a high jumper who lost his right hand in an accident at age seven. His early life was marked by financial hardship, but TOPS significantly improved his situation, providing him with resources that allowed him to focus on his sport. The Khelo India scheme, introduced in 2023 following the inaugural Khelo India Para Games, further supplemented this support. Para-shooter Mona Agarwal, who won bronze in Paris, benefitted from the ₹10,000 monthly stipend provided by this scheme.

The results of these support systems have been impressive. India set a record with 19 medals at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics and followed up with a staggering 111 medals at the 2023 Para Asian Games. Additionally, Indian para-athletes achieved notable success in World Championships: Sumit Antil secured gold in 2023 and 2024, Deepthi Jeevanji won gold in 2024, and Sheetal Devi earned silver in 2023.

This trajectory illustrates that with the right backing from both government and corporate sponsors, India has the potential to become a dominant force in global para-sports. The support structures in place have demonstrated their effectiveness, fostering an environment where Indian para-athletes can reach their full potential and achieve extraordinary success.

(With inputs from agencies)