Tokyo Paralympics stars return home to chaotic welcome

Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist in the men`s javelin throw F64 Sumit Antil poses during a felicitation ceremony in New Delhi. Photo/AFP

Indian para athletes, including javelin throw gold medallist Sumit Antil, on Friday returned home to a never-seen-before boisterous welcome during which supporters and media jostled to catch a glimpse of them at the airport here.

Chaotic scenes unfolded at the Indira Gandhi international Airport here as fans and an army of media-persons disregarded Covid-19 protocols, jostling for space to get hold of the four para athletes, especially Sumit.

Apart from Sumit, three-time Paralympic medallist javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia, who won a silver this time, silver-medallist in discus throw Yogesh Kathuniya and Sharad Kumar, who won bronze in high jump, were also given a warm welcome in the morning.

The four athletes were welcomed enthusiastically by SAI officials, who garlanded them and presented them with bouquets on arrival. Silver medallist high jumper, Mariyappan Thangavelu, who arrived in the evening, also met with a similar reception.

Also read: Tokyo Paralympics: Praveen Kumar wins silver in high jump (T64 event), scripts Asian Record

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