Indian Paralympic Team Returns to New Delhi Amidst Celebrations After Historic Performance in Paris

India's Paralympic athletes received a grand welcome at IGI Airport after winning 29 medals, including 7 golds, surpassing their previous records at Tokyo 2020.

New Delhi —The Indian Paralympic team returned to New Delhi today following their historic performance at the Paris Paralympics, greeted with drums, cheers, and garlands at IGI Airport. The team's remarkable achievement includes a haul of 29 medals, making it India's most successful Paralympic outing to date.

The Indian contingent surpassed their Tokyo 2020 record of 19 medals, securing 7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze this year, finishing the games in the 18th position overall—a significant improvement and a testament to the athletes' hard work and determination.

Highlighting the victories, para-shooter Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medals. She successfully defended her title in the women's 10-meter air rifle standing SH1 event, setting a new world record with a score of 249.7 points.

In a groundbreaking achievement for India in para-athletics, Dharambir and Parnav Surma clinched gold and silver respectively in the men’s club throw F51 event, with Dharambir setting an Asian record with a throw of 34.92 meters.

Praveen Kumar topped the podium in the T64 high jump event with an Asian record-breaking leap of 2.08 meters, securing India’s sixth gold medal of the competition.

In archery, Harvinder Singh earned India its first-ever Olympic and Paralympic gold in individual recurve para-archery, defeating Poland's Lukasz Ciszczek.

Javelin thrower Sumit Antil became the first Indian man to successfully defend a Paralympic title, smashing his own world record with a throw of 70.59 meters in the F64 event—breaking his previous record set at Tokyo 2020 three times during the competition.

This remarkable success at the Paris Paralympics has not only brought home medals but also demonstrated India's growing prowess and potential in the field of para-sports on the global stage. The nation looks forward to more such inspiring performances from its athletes in future international arenas.