India Send Its Biggest Ever Contingent For Paris Paralympics 2024; Edging Tokyo By Sizeable Number

After sending a record number of 117 individuals to Paris Olympics, India have continued with upward trajectory and sent its biggest contingent for Paralympics as well. A total of 84 athletes have been shortlisted for 2024 edition of Paralympics. Initially, it was supposed to be 87 but final number has come out to be 84. This is India's biggest-ever Paralympic team and has edged Tokyo 2020 number by a sizeable margin.

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India To Have Its Biggest Ever Contingent For Paralympics

54-member squ in Tokyo fetched a total of 19 medals in Paralympics 2020 and with 84 members selected for Paris Paralympics, re could be an increment in number of Paralympics as well. Here's list of para-athletes who will represent India in upcoming global spectacle.

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India Aim 25 medals

India is hoping to win more than 25 medals from its largest-ever contingent of 84 athletes at upcoming Paris Paralympic Games beginning on August 28, country's governing body chief Devendra Jhajharia said on Tuesday.

Jhajharia, himself a double gold medallist at Paralympics, said Indian contingent would look carry momentum of record-breaking performances in 2021 Tokyo Paralympics and 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

India h won 19 medals at Tokyo Paralympics and a historic 111 medal at Para Asian Games.

"This is biggest para contingent India has ever sent to Paralympics. We are very confident about overall performance and are sure to win more than 25 medals," Jhajharia said here at a event organised by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

India is set to compete in 12 sports, including archery, athletics, bminton, canoeing, cycling, blind judo, powerlifting, rowing, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and taekwondo.

“Most of our athletes are in excellent shape, having trained rigorously for this event. We expect outstanding results, particularly in athletics, bminton, archery, and shooting. y are rey to make India proud,” PCI president said.

Indian team boasts of a mix of experienced and young athletes athletes. Many of m are participating in ir second or third Paralympics.

Amit Kumar Saroha, a seasoned athlete competing in his fourth Paralympics, will represent India in F51 category discus throw.  On or end of spectrum is Sheetal Devi, who shoots with her legs inste of her hands due to a medical condition that has afflicted her since birth.

She recently me helines by winning gold medals in individual compound and mixed team events in archery at 2023 Asian Para Games.

(With inputs from PTI)