India's Para-athletes Who Have Won Gold at the Paralympics: Murlikant Petkar, Sumit Antil & More

With the Paralympics closing in soon, India is gearing up for another thriller campaign. After the para Athletes' heroics in the Tokyo Paralympics, India will look forward to the contingent's performance in the French Capital. A total of 84 athletes will be heading to París, which will be India's biggest contingent ever, and they will be representing the country in 12 disciplines. As India heads into the 2024 Paralympics, we look back to all of India's para-athletes who have earned gold medals in the history of the event.

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2024 Paralympics: From Murlikant Petkar to Devendra Jhajharia, Check Out All of India's Gold Medalists in the Quadrennial Event

Throughout India's journey in the Paralympics, para-athletes have won nine gold medals, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals. India's gold tally was opened by Para-swimmer Murlikant Petkar.

Murlikant Petkar

An avid boxer who lost his abilities during the 1965 war against Pakistan, Murlikant Petkar's passion for sports did not end despite the setback as he quickly transitioned to winning. At the 1972 Heidelberg Games, He set a world record time of 37.33 seconds. Petkar was India's first medalist and first gold medalist at the Olympics.

Sumit Antil

Sumit Antil broke his own record three times in the Men's F64 Category. He won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with a record throw of 68.55 Metres, securing India a gold medal at the event. He went on to break his record at the 2023 World Para Championships and the Hangzhou Para Asian Games. He will be a part of the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and a lot of attention will remain on him.  

Devendra Jhajharia

Devendra Jhajharia won India's second gold medal at the Paralympics during the 2004 Athens Games after he stood first at the Men's javelin F44/46 Event. He broke the world record with a 62.15-metre throw and then broke his own record at the 2016 Rio Games with a 63.97m throw, which earned him his second gold medal.

Avani Lekhara 

Lekhara is India's first female Paralympic gold medalist after she stood at the top of the podium at the Women's 10m Air Rifle SH1 Final. She scored 249.6 to set a Paralympic record.

Mariyappan Thangavelu

At the Rio 2016 Games, Mariyappan Thangavelu bagged the gold medal in the men’s high jump F42 event after clearing the height of 1.89m.

Pramod Bhagat

As India's first gold medalist in badminton, Pramod Bhagat shined at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics when he outclassed Great Britain's Daniel Bethell 21-14, 21-17 to clinch the coveted prize.

Krishna Nagar

As India's second gold medalist in badminton, Krishna Nagar made history after defeating Hong Kong's Chu Man Kai 21-17, 16-21, 21-17 at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Manish Narwal

At the 2020 Tokyo Games, Manish Narwal set a new Paralympic record after bagging the gold medal in P4 - Mixed 50m Pistol SH1 event. Narwal topped the final with a score of 218.2.

Also Read: Javelin Star & Flag-Bearer Sumit Antil Sets Sights on Breaking Own World Record at 2024 Paralympics

This year's Paralympics will begin from August 28 to September 8, and India will be one of the key contenders in the event.