The fourth edition of the Asian Para Games is just around the corner. After the Asian Games contingent returned with the best-ever medal tally, the Indian Para athletes are also looking to achieve a similar feat. The multi-sport event is set to feature a record 303 Indian athletes. Check out some prominent names in the Indian contingent.
Also Read: Asian Para Games: India to send 303 athletes, CHECK full squad
Para Athletics
Sumit Antil
Javelin Thrower Sumit Antil will be leading the Indian contingent in Para Athletics. He won the gold medal in 202 Paralympics. He also holds the world record in men’s para javelin in the F64 category with a best throw of a massive 70.83m.
Sumit set the record earlier this year at the World Championships in Paris. He is one of the overwhelming favourite to win the Para Asian Gold medal in the upcoming edition.
Also Read: Not Neeraj Chopra, but this Indian holds world record in men’s javelin
Mariyappan Thangavelu
28-year old Mariyappan Thangavelu has been a consistent performer in the multi-sport events for India in Para-Athletics. He shot to fame by winning a gold medal in 2016 Paralympics in High Jump. He still holds the Asian Record set in the F-42 category with a 1.89m jump at the Rio Paralympics.
He has also bagged a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. In the last editon of the Para Asian Games at Jakarta, he bagged a bronze medal. The Paralympic champion is aiming to better that show in the upcoming event.
Also Read: Asian Para Games to begin from 22nd October – Check Full Schedule
Para Badminton
Pramod Bhagat
World No.2 Para Shuttler Pramod Bhagat is looking to defend his Para Asian Gold medal. He will represent the country in the Men’s Singles in SL3 category. He will meanwhile partner alongside SukantKadam in the Doubles. They are the World No.1 pair in the category.
Much recently the duo won the gold medal at the Four-nation Para Badminton meet in England. Both in singles and the doubles, both the players are among the favourites to bag a medal in the sport in the upcoming event.
Para Shooting
Avani Lekhara
21-year old Avani Lekhara will be making her debut in Para Asian Games. She created history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in Paralympic Games at Tokyo. The youngster also added one more bronze medal, becoming the first Indian Woman to win multiple Paralympic medals.
She won the gold in the 10m air rifle SH1. In the 50m Rifle 3 positions, she clinched the bronze. After her phenomenal show at the Paralympics, she bagged two gold medals at the Para Shooting World Cup in both the events in 2022. All eyes will be on Lekhara in the upcoming continental event.
Singhraj Adhana
Like Avani Lekhara, another Indian who bagged multiple medals at the Tokyo Paralympics was Singhraj Adhana. He bagged a silver and bronze in 50m and 10m air pistol events respectively.
The 41-year old also won a bronze medal at the Jakarta editon of the Para Asian Games. He now wants to better that show. He has already earned a spot in the 2024 Paralympics with a fourth place finish at the
Para Table Tennis
Bhavinaben Patel
After impressive shows at the Paralympics and Commonwealth Games, Bhavinaben Patel is a favourite to seal yet another podium finish at the Para Asian Games. She won the silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. With that she became the first-ever Indian paddler to win a Paralympic medal.
She bettered it with a gold medal winning show at Commonwealth Games last year. Bhavinaben Patel has won a silver medal at the Para Asian Games in the last editon. She won the medal in Doubles alongside Sonalben Patel in Women’s Doubles.
Editors pick
