Top five Indian athletes to win most medals at Asian Para Games 2023

Published at :November 1, 2023 at 12:13 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 12:52 AM

Badminton and Athletics contingent won the most number of medals.

Indian para-athletes have achieved a remarkable feat at the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou. India secured an unprecedented total of 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze medals. This historic milestone marks the first time that Indian para-athletes have surpassed the 100-medal mark at the Asian Para Games. In comparison, India’s best performance in the history of the games was recorded in 2018 in Jakarta, where the team secured a total of 72 medals.

Let’s take a closer look at the top five athletes who excelled and earned the most medals at the Asian Para Games 2023:

Sheetal Devi – Archery (2 Gold and 1 Silver)

India’s 16-year-old para-archer, Sheetal Devi, displayed extraordinary skill in the women’s individual compound event at the Asian Para Games 2023, clinching the coveted gold medal. Her achievement is exceptional because she is the only female international archer who shoots arrows proficiently with her feet. She also secured a gold medal in the mixed team compound and a silver medal in the women’s doubles Compound event.

Furthermore, she holds the distinction of being the sole para-athlete to secure three medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games, including two gold medals.

Rakesh Kumar – Archery (1 Gold and 2 Silver)

Rakesh Kumar achieved remarkable success at the 2023 Asian Para Games, earning three medals. His most outstanding achievement was winning the gold medal in the mixed team compound event, alongside Sheetal Devi. Their exceptional performance led to a thrilling victory against China’s Lin and Ai, contributing to India’s 18th gold medal triumph at the Games.

Along with the gold medal, Rakesh won two silver medals, one in men’s individual compound and another in men’s doubles compound event.

Pramod Bhagat – Badminton (1 Gold and 2 Bronze)

Pramod Bhagat, a para badminton player from Odisha, secured three medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games. His impressive medal tally included one gold and two bronze medals. Bhagat won the gold medal in the Men’s Singles SL3 event, defeating compatriot Nitesh Kumar with a score of 22-20, 18-21, 21-19. He also claimed bronze medals in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 and men’s doubles SL3-SU4 events respectively.

Nitesh Kumar – Badminton (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)

Nitesh Kumar, another para-badminton player, made headlines by winning three medals. He secured a gold medal in the men’s doubles SL3-4 badminton event alongside Tarun, defeating Indonesia’s Dwiyoko and Fredy Setiawan with a scoreline of 21-9, 19-21, and 20-22. Nitesh also won a silver medal in men’s singles SL3 and a bronze medal in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event.

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Thulasimathi Murugesan – Badminton (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze)

Thulasimathi Murugesan also had an outstanding performance, winning three medals for India at the 2023 Asian Para Games. She clinched the gold medal in the Women’s Singles SU5 by defeating China’s Yang Qiuxia with a score of 21-19 and 21-19. Additionally, she won a silver medal in women’s doubles SL3-SU5 alongside Manasi Nayana Joshi and a bronze medal in Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 alongside Nitesh Kumar.

In addition to these five athletes, Manisha Ramdass and Nithya Sre Sivan also secured three medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games, although none of them claimed a gold medal.