Paris Paralympics 2024: Who are India's medal contenders today August 31 (Day 3)?

Published at :August 31, 2024 at 10:41 AM

Modified at :August 31, 2024 at 10:42 AM

(Courtesy : @swaroop.unhalkar/Instagram)

India opened its medal account on Friday (August 30) and ended the day with four medals.

It was a historic day for India on Day 2 of Paris Paralympics 2024 as Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games. She successfully defended her gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 shooting event with a world record score. With Mona Agarwal taking home the bronze, India had two podium finishes in the event.

Armless archer Sheetal Devi broke the world record score in the ranking round. But it turned out to be a moment as her score was surpassed and she had to settle for a silver. In the mixed team event, Sheetal Devi along with Rakesh Kumar qualified for the finals with a world record score compound. India had a fourth reason to celebrate with Preeti Pal winning India’s first-ever medal in the Paralympic track event.

With many more loadings, let’s look at the primary medal contenders on Saturday.

India’s medal contenders on Day 3 (August 31) of Paris Paralympics 2024

Parveen Kumar – Men’s Javelin F57 Final – 10:30 PM

Praveen is the epitome of perseverance and excellence in the long list of throwers from India. He went on to win gold in the National Games in 2024 and now stands tall with numerous medals from both national and international competitions. Having placed fourth in the Para Asian Games Selection, the twin Gold medalist in championships is prepared to win one in the Paralympics.

Swaroop Unhalkar – Men’s 10m Air Rifle Standing Position – 1:00 PM

Swaroop Unhalkar is one of the veterans of the paralympic shooting. The 37-year-old came close to winning a medal in the Tokyo games but finished fourth. He will be determined to get the job done and stand on the podium. Having taken up the sport at the age of 22 in Kolhapur, he wants to win gold and will have a shot in Paris. The Indian would want to make it to the finals and win a medal.

Rubina Francis – Women’s 10m Pistol – 3:30 PM

Another shooter who would want to make it second time lucky is Rubina Francis. She missed out on a medal in the Tokyo Olympics and the 25-year-old will be eager to repeat the feat of Manu Bhaker who won the medal in Paris having missed out in Tokyo in the women’s 10m Pistol event. The Para Pistol shooter from Madhya Pradesh won gold in the 2022 World Shooting Para Sport Championships.

Jyoti Gaderiya – Women’s C1-3 500m Para Cycling – 1:30 PM

Jyoti Gaderiya will be trying her hand in the women’s C1-3 500m event having failed to qualify for the finals in the 3000m event. She along with 12 other Para cyclists will competing in the qualification round with the top six making it to the finals.

She started as a Kabaddi player but a life-threatening accident meant that she couldn’t make it in Kabaddi. Her pursuit for a medal in Paralympic continues in Para cycling with an opportunity in Saturday.

Arshad Shaik – Men’s C1-3 1000m Para Cycling – 1:49 PM

Arshad Shaik will be competing in the Men’s C1-3 1000m Para Cycling event in the Paralympics. The cyclist from Andhra Pradesh will be the first from the state to represent the nation in the Paralympics. Being a Taekwondo player in his early years resulted in building a fighting spirit which has helped him come from a horrible auto rickshaw accident at the age of 12.

Multiple medals shined around his neck in the Asian Track Para-cycling Championships, and he would want one in Paris as well.

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