September 5, 2024: India’s para-athletes continued their remarkable performance on Day 7 of the Paris Paralympics 2024, moving closer to the 25-medal mark with outstanding victories in archery and athletics. On September 4, Harvinder Singh created history by clinching India’s first-ever gold in Paralympic archery, while Dharambir Singh and Pranav Soorma delivered a 1-2 finish in the Men’s Club Throw F51 final, cementing India’s presence among the top contenders at the Games.
The action-packed day kicked off with a silver medal for Sachin Khilari in the men’s shot put F46 event at the iconic Stade de France. Khilari, who came into the competition as the reigning world champion, showcased his skills by achieving a throw of 16.32m, which placed him second behind Canada’s Greg Stewart. His performance not only secured the silver but also set a new record for the best-ever throw by an Asian in this category. Despite his success, his fellow competitors, Mohd Yasser and Rohit Kumar, finished 8th and 9th, with throws of 14.21m and 14.10m, respectively.
India’s Para-Athletes Excel on Day 7 of Paris Paralympics 2024: Archery, Club Throw, and Shot Put Glory
Khilari’s silver marked India’s 11th medal in para-athletics, further boosting the nation’s track and field achievements at the 2024 Paralympics. The day only got better from there as Harvinder Singh stole the spotlight in the Men’s Individual Recurve Open final. He dominated Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek with a flawless performance, winning 6-0 and capturing India’s fourth gold medal of the Games. Singh’s exceptional composure and accuracy across all three sets made history for the country as he became the first Indian to win a gold medal in Paralympic archery.
Harvinder’s journey to gold was one of precision and determination. He started the match strong, with scores of 9, 10, and 9 in the opening set, while Ciszek lagged behind. In the final set, Harvinder delivered two 10s and a 9 to seal his victory, securing his second Paralympic medal following his bronze in Tokyo 2021.
The excitement continued as India’s dominance extended to the athletics field, where Dharambir Singh and Pranav Soorma claimed gold and silver, respectively, in the Men’s Club Throw F51 final. Dharambir’s winning throw solidified his position as one of the top athletes in the event, while Soorma’s silver added another prestigious medal to India’s tally.
As the Paris Paralympics move into their final days, India’s para-athletes remain on course to surpass 25 medals, continuing to inspire the nation with their incredible performances on the world stage.