From the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the focus now shifts to the Paralympics where 54 Indian para-athletes will be in action across 9 sports. As many as four Indians returned home with medals from the 2016 Rio Paralympics and the hopes from the Indian contingent this time around is of a bigger medal haul.
Devendra Jhajharia and Mriyappan Thangavelu, who had bagged gold medals in Rio, are expected to finish on top of the podium in their respective sports once again this time around. Just days ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, a look at top medal contenders from India:
Devendra Jhajharia: With two gold medals already to his name in javelin throw, Jhajharia is the most successful Indian Paralympian. He threw a distance of 65.71m in July 2021 to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, once again reaffirming his credentials as India’s top medal-contender.
Mariyappan Thangavelu: Another gold medal winner at the Rio Games, Mariyappan clinched the yellow metal at the men’s T42 high jump event. He also went on to bag bronze at the 2019 World Para-Athletics Championships. Hopes are high from Mariyappan at the 2020 Tokyo Games too.
Manish Narwal: Indian shooters have been hogging the limelight all across the globe. While Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary carried the nation’s hopes in Tokyo Olympics, Manish Narwal will be in the spotlight at the Paralympics. Manish is presently ranked number 4 in the men’s 10m air pistol event and has won medals at multiple events.
Pramod Bhagat: Ranked number 1 in the world in the Men’s SL3 Singles Para-badminton, Pramod is one of India’s biggest hopes from the Tokyo Games. Pramod already has a number of gold medals both in singles as well as doubles events at the world championships. With India also making its debut with badminton at the Para-Games, hopes are high from the shuttlers.
Ekta Bhyan: A renowned discus throw para-athlete in the country, Ekta has a gold medal to her name 16.02m in women’s club throw. Despite only taking up the sport in 2016, Ekta has done wonders with several national titles to her name already.
Sumit Antil: Competing in the F44/64 category during the National Para Athletics Championships, Sumit had registered a world record throw of 66.90m. Since the event was not certified by the International Paralympic Committee, the throw didn’t enter the record books.
Suyash Jadhav: The para-swimmer will be competing at the men’s S7 50m butterfly and men’s 200m SM7 individual medley in Tokyo. He is the reigning Asian Games champion in 50m butterfly event and hence would start the Tokyo Para-Games as a strong medal-contender.
