India at the 2020 Summer Paralympics explained

Npc:IND
Npcname:Paralympic Committee of India
Games:Summer Paralympics
Year:2020
Location:Tokyo, Japan
Competitors:54
Sports:9
Flagbearer Open:Tek Chand
Flagbearer Close:Avani Lekhara
Rank:24
Gold:5
Silver:8
Bronze:6
Appearances:auto

India competed in the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan, from 24 August to 5 September 2021. India made its official debut at the 1968 Summer Paralympics and has appeared in every edition of the Summer Paralympics since 1984.

India sent a contingent consisting of 54 athletes competing across nine sports in the Games. Athlete Tek Chand was the flag bearer during the opening ceremony and shooter Avani Lekhara carried the flag during the closing ceremony.

This was India's most successful Paralympic campaign at the time with 19 medals including five gold, eight silver and six bronze medals. Before this edition, India had won a combined total of 12 medals across all previous Paralympics combined.

Background

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) was formed in 1994, five years after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) was established in 1989.[1] The ninth International Stoke Mandville Games was later designated as the first Paralympics in 1960. The International Stoke Mandeville Games Federation organized the Paralympic Games till 1984. The 1988 Seoul Paralympics was the first to use the Paralympics name and the event has been held in the same host city as the corresponding Summer Olympic Games since then.[2] The nation made its Paralympics debut in 1968 and have appeared in every edition of the Summer Paralympic Games since 1984. This edition of the Games marked the nation's 12th appearance at the Summer Paralympics.[3]

The Indian contingent for the games consisted of 54 people across nine sports.[4] Athlete Mariyappan Thangavelu was the designated flag bearer during the opening ceremony but was later replaced by Tek Chand due to Covid-19 quarantine regulations.[5] Shooter Avani Lekhara carried the flag during the closing ceremony.[6]

Medalists

See main article: 2020 Summer Paralympics medal table.

This was India's most successful Paralympic campaign with 19 medals including five gold, eight silver and six bronze medals.[7] Before this edition, India had won a combined total of 12 medals across all previous Paralympics combined[8]

Bhavina Patel won India's first medal, a silver in Table Tennis.[9] Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman paralympic athlete to win a gold medal. She won another bronze medal to become the first Indian woman multiple medalist in Paralympic shooting.[10] Shooter Manish Narwal won another gold medal in 50 m pistol SH1 event and Singhraj Adhana also won two shooting medals, a silver and a bronze.[11] Harvinder Singh became the first Indian to win a medal in Paralympic archery after he won a bronze medal in the men's recurve event.[12] In badminton, Indian shuttlers won four medals including two gold medals by Pramod Bhagat and Krishna Nagar, a silver medal by Suhas Yathiraj and a bronze medal by Manoj Sarkar.[7]

In athletics, India won eight medals including one gold, five silver and two bronze medals. Sumit Antil won a gold medal in Javelin throw F64 with a new world record. Mariyappan Thangavelu (high jump T63) and Devendra Jhajharia (Javelin throw F46) won silver medals to go along with the gold medals they won in the 2016 Games.[7] [8] This was Jhajharia third medal, which is the most by an Indian Para athlete in the Paralympic Games along with Joginder Singh Bedi.[13] Nishad Kumar and Praveen Kumar won silver medals in high jump T47 and high jump T64 respectively. Sharad Kumar (high jump T63) and Sundar Singh Gurjar (Javelin throw F46) won bronze medals.[7] [8] Indian discus thrower Vinod Kumar who won a bronze in the F52 category discus throw event, was later disqualified after being found ineligible in the disability classification assessment.[14]

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MedalNameSportEventDate
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Gold
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Silver
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze
Bronze

Summary

Medals by sport
Sportwidth=40 style="background-color:gold;"Goldwidth=40 style="background-color:silver;"Silverwidth=40 style="background-color:#c96;"Bronzewidth=40 Total
Shooting2125
Badminton2114
Athletics1528
Table tennis0101
Archery0011
Total58619
Medals by day
DayDatewidth=40 style="background-color:gold;"Goldwidth=40 style="background-color:silver;"Silverwidth=40 style="background-color:#c96;"Bronzewidth=40 Total
5 29 August 02 02
630 August 2 2 15
731 August 0 1 23
103 September 01 23
114 September 2 1 14
125 September 1 1 02
Total58619
Medals by gender
Genderwidth=40 style="background-color:gold;"Goldwidth=40 style="background-color:silver;"Silverwidth=40 style="background-color:#c96;"Bronzewidth=40 Total
Male47516
Female1113
Total58619

Competitors

The Indian contingent for the games consisted of 54 athletes competing across nine sports.[4]

SportMenWomenTotal
Archery415
Athletics20424
Badminton527
Paracanoeing011
Powerlifting112
Shooting8210
Swimming202
Table Tennis022
Taekwondo011
Total401454

Archery

See main article: Archery at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and Archery at the 2020 Summer Paralympics - Qualification.

India archers achieved four quota places in the 2019 World Para Archery Championships.[15] Jyoti Baliyan got the bipartite commission invitation to participate in the tournament.[4]

Recurve|-|align=left|Harvinder Singh|align=left rowspan="2"|Men's individual|600|21|rowspan=2 |
W 6–5|
W 6–5|
W 6–2|
L 4–6|
W 6–5||-|align=left|Vivek Chikara|609|10|
W 6–2|
L 3–7|colspan="3" |9|}
Compound|-|align=left|Rakesh Kumar|align=left rowspan="2"|Men's individual|699|3|rowspan="2" |
W 144–131 |
W 140–137|
L 143–145|colspan="2" |5|-|align=left|Shyam Sundar Swami|682|21|
L 139–142|rowspan="2" colspan="4" |17|-|Jyoti Baliyan|align=left| Women's individual|671|15||
L 137–141|17|-|Jyoti Baliyan
Rakesh Kumar|align=left| Mixed team|1370|6|colspan="2" |
W 147–141|
L 151–153|colspan="2" |5|}

Athletics

See main article: Athletics at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and Athletics at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Qualification.

The following Indian athletes achieved the quota places by through eligible events and via the Athletics World Rankings. The Paralympic Committee of India announced the final list of the athletes after the selection trials held in New Delhi.[16]

Track
Field
AthleteEventResultRank
Amit Kumar Sarohaalign=left rowspan=2Men's club throw F5127.77 5
Dharambir Nain25.59 8
Vinod KumarMen's discus throw F52
Yogesh KathuniyaMen's discus throw F5644.38
Nishad Kumaralign=left rowspan=2Men's high jump T472.06
Ram Pal1.945
Mariyappan Thangavelualign=left rowspan=3Men's high jump T631.86
Sharad Kumar1.83
Varun Singh Bhati1.77 7
Praveen KumarMen's high jump T642.07
Navdeep SinghMen's javelin throw F4140.804
Sundar Singh GurjarMen's javelin throw F4664.01
Ajeet Singh56.158
Devendra Jhajharia64.35
Ranjeet BhatiMen's javelin throw F57
Sandeep ChaudharyMen's javelin throw F6462.20 4
Sumit Antil68.55
Arvind MalikMen's shot put F3513.487
Soman RanaMen's shot put F5713.814
Tek ChandMen's shot put F559.048
Kashish Lakraalign=left rowspan=2Women's club throw F5112.66 6
Ekta Bhyan8.38 8
Bhagyashree JadhavWomen's shot put F347.00 7

Badminton

See main article: Badminton at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and Badminton at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Qualification.

Badminton made its debut at the Paralympic Games and seven Indian shuttlers qualified for the games based on qualification rankings or bipartite invitation.[17] [18] [19]

Men
AthleteEventGroup StageSemifinalFinal /
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
RankOpposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Pramod BhagatSingles SL3
W (21–10, 21–23, 21–9)

W (21–12, 21–9)
1 Q
W (21–11, 21–16)

W (21–14, 21–17)
Manoj Sarkar
L (10–21, 23–21, 9–21)

W (21–16, 21–9)
2 Q
L (8–21, 10–21)

W (22–20, 21–13)
Tarun DhillonSingles SL4
W (21–7, 21–13)

W (21–18, 15–21, 21–17)

L (19–21, 9–21)
2 Q
L (16–21, 21–16, 18–21)

L (17–21, 11–21)
4
Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj
W (21–9, 21–3)

W (21–6, 21–12)

L (15–21, 17–21)
2 Q
W (21–9, 21–15)

L (21–15, 17–21, 15–21)
Krishna Nagaralign=left Singles SH6
W (22–20, 21–10)

W (21–17, 21–14)
1 Q
W (21–10, 21–11)

W (21–17, 16–21, 21–17)
Women
AthleteEventGroup StageQuarterfinalSemifinalFinal /
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
RankOpposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Opposition
Score
Rank
Palak KohliSingles SU5
L (4–21, 7–21)

W (21–12, 21–18)
2 Q
L (11–21, 15–21)
rowspan="3" colspan="3"
Parul ParmarSingles SL4
L (8–21, 2–21)

L (21–23, 21–19, 15–21)
3rowspan="2"
Parul Parmar
Palak Kohli
Doubles SL3–SU5
L (7–21, 5–21)

L (12–21, 20–22)
3
Mixed

Paracanoeing

See main article: Paracanoeing at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Prachi Yadav was the only Indian para canoe athlete at the Tokyo Paralympics and she achieved the quota after finishing 8th in International Canoe World Championship 2019.[20]

Powerlifting

See main article: Powerlifting at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and Powerlifting at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Qualification.

Sakina Khatun and Jaideep Deswal received the bipartite invitation to participate in the games.[4] Sakina became the first-ever female powerlifter from the country to participate in the games. While this was Jaideep's second Paralympics.

AthleteEventScoreRank
Jaideep DeswalMen's 65 kg
Sakina KhatunWomen's 50 kg935

Shooting

See main article: Shooting at the 2020 Summer Paralympics and Shooting at the 2020 Summer Paralympics – Qualification.

Indian shooters achieved quota places for through various qualifying events. Manish Narwal and Deepender Singh became the first shooters to qualify after winning the gold and silver medal respectively at the 2018 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup at Châteauroux and Singhraj Adhana joined them by securing a berth in the mixed pistol event.[21] Avani Lekhara became the first female shooter to secure a Paralympic berth.[22] Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar and Sidhartha Babu secured quotas in the 2019 World Shooting Para Sport Championships at Sydney. Other shooters secured the remaining quota places at the 2021 Para Sport World Cup held in Lima.[23] Paralympic Committee of India announced the 10-member Indian Team for the Games on 8 July 2021.[24]

Men
AthleteEventQualificationFinal
PointsRankPointsRank
Manish NarwalP1 10 m air pistol SH15751 Q135.87
Deepender Singh56010colspan="2"
Singhraj Adhana5696 Q216.8
Swaroop Mahavir UnhalkarR1 10 m air rifle standing SH1615.27 Q203.94
align=left rowspan=2Deepak Saini592.620rowspan="2" colspan="2"
R7 50 m rifle 3 positions SH1111418
Women
AthleteEventQualificationFinal
PointsRankPointsRank
Rubina FrancisP2 10 m air pistol SH15607 Q128.57
Avani LekharaR2 10 m air rifle SH1621.77 Q249.6
R8 50 m rifle 3 positions SH111762 Q445.9
Mixed
AthleteEventQualificationFinal
PointsRankPointsRank
Rahul Jakharalign=left rowspan=2P3 25 m pistol SH15762 Q125
Akash55120colspan="2"
Manish Narwalalign=left rowspan=3P4 50 m pistol SH15337 Q218.2
Singhraj Adhana5364 Q216.7
Akash50727rowspan="7" colspan="2"
Deepak Sainialign=left rowspan=3R3 10 m air rifle prone SH1624.943
Sidhartha Babu625.540
Avani Lekhara629.727
Avani Lekharaalign=left rowspan=3R6 50 m rifle prone SH161228
Deepak Saini602.246
Sidhartha Babu617.29

Swimming

See main article: Swimming at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Suyash Jadhav achieved the Minimum qualifying Standard to qualify for the Games. Later, Niranjan Mukundan received bi-partite invitation to participate in the 50 m Butterfly S7 event.[25] [26]

AthleteEventHeatFinal
TimeRankTimeRank
Niranjan MukundanMen's 50m butterfly S733.826rowspan="2" colspan="2"
Suyash Jadhav32.365
Men's 100 m breaststroke SB7
Men's 200m individual medley SM7
DNS - Did not start; DSQ- Disqualified

Table tennis

See main article: Table tennis at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

India entered two athletes into the table tennis competition at the games. Bhavina Patel and Sonal Patel qualified via the overall Rankings.[27] [28]

AthleteEventGroup StageRound of 16QuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
RankOpposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Opposition
Result
Rank
Sonal PatelWomen's individual C3
L 2–3

L 1–3
3colspan="5"
Bhavina PatelWomen's individual C4
L 0–3

W 3–1
2 Q
W 3–0

W 3–0

W 3–2

L 0–3
Sonal Patel
Bhavina Patel
Women's team C4-5
L 0–2

Taekwondo

See main article: Taekwondo at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. Aruna Tanwar received the bipartite commission invitation for the Games.[29] She withdrew during the competition due to injury.

Women

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paralympic India: Who are we?. Paralympic Committee of India. 1 June 2024. 12 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240712113955/https://www.paralympicindia.com/who-we-are/. live.
  2. Web site: History of IPC. International Paralympic Committee. 1 June 2024. 30 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191130085921/https://www.paralympic.org/ipc/history. live.
  3. Web site: India at the Paralympics: A brief history. 19 December 2020. 1 June 2024. Olympics.com. 22 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240522133210/https://olympics.com/en/news/india-at-the-paralympics-a-brief-history. live.
  4. Web site: Indians at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics: All the Athletes who qualified for Summer Para Games. 14 August 2020. 1 June 2024. Olympics.com. 16 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240816073917/https://olympics.com/en/news/indian-athletes-qualified-tokyo-2020-paralympics. live.
  5. News: 24 August 2021. Mariyappan withdrawn as India's Paralympic flag-bearer after coming in contact of Covid positive person. 16 October 2022. The Hindustan Times. 3 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210903112944/https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/others/mariyappan-withdrawn-as-india-s-paralympic-flag-bearer-after-coming-in-contact-of-covid-positive-person-101629785264410.html. live.
  6. News: Tokyo Paralympics: Twin medalist Avani Lekhara to be India's flag-bearer for closing ceremony. India Today. 4 September 2021. 1 June 2024. 25 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240325112122/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/tokyo-paralympics-avani-lekhara-to-be-india-flag-bearer-for-closing-ceremony-1849261-2021-09-04. live.
  7. Web site: India's Tokyo 2020 Paralympics medal winners. 5 September 2021. 1 June 2024. Olympics.com. 16 August 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240816045006/https://olympics.com/en/news/india-tokyo-2020-paralympics-medal. live.
  8. Web site: India's Paralympics medal winners: The full list. 24 August 2024. 1 June 2024. Olympics.com.
  9. News: 30 August 2021. Sabu. Cherian. Tokyo Paralympics: Bhavina Patel wins silver, to focus on doubles now. 3 September 2021. The Times of India. 30 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210830052016/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tokyo-paralympics/tokyo-paralympics-bhavina-patel-wins-silver-to-focus-on-doubles-now/articleshow/85754980.cms. live.
  10. News: 3 September 2021. Avani Lekhara becomes first Indian woman to win 2 Paralympic medals. 3 September 2021. The Times of India. 3 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210903062453/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tokyo-paralympics/legend-at-19-avani-lekhara-becomes-first-indian-woman-to-win-2-paralympic-medals/articleshow/85890352.cms. live.
  11. News: Tokyo Paralympics: Manish Narwal Wins Gold, Silver For Singhraj Adhana In 50m Mixed Pistol (SH1). 16 October 2021. NDTV. 4 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210904072239/https://sports.ndtv.com/olympics-2020/tokyo-paralympics-indias-manish-narwal-wins-gold-singhraj-adhana-takes-silver-in-mixed-50m-pistol-sh1-2529400. live.
  12. News: 3 September 2021. Harvinder Singh Paralympics: Harvinder Singh wins bronze, India's first archery medal in Paralympics. 3 September 2021. The Times of India. 3 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210903140314/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tokyo-paralympics/harvinder-singh-wins-bronze-indias-first-archery-medal-in-paralympics/articleshow/85898810.cms. live.
  13. News: 3 August 2021. 3 Paralympics, 3 medals, 2 Gold, 1 Silver - Devendra Jhajharia is India's GOAT para-athlete. 1 October 2021. The Bridge. 1 October 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211001062612/https://thebridge.in/tokyo-2020-paralympics/paralympics-medals-gold-silver-devendra-jhajharia-india-goat-para-athlete-24791. live.
  14. News: 30 August 2021. Tokyo Paralympics: Vinod Kumar loses his bronze medal. 16 October 2021. Zee News. 30 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210830103107/https://zeenews.india.com/other-sports/tokyo-paralympics-vinod-kumar-loses-his-bronze-medal-2389786.html. live.
  15. News: Indian archers bag four berths for Tokyo Paralympics. The Times of India. 7 June 2019. 24 June 2020. 19 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191119012414/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/indian-archers-bag-four-berths-for-tokyo-paralympics/articleshow/69694392.cms. live.
  16. News: 5 July 2021. 1 June 2024. Tokyo 2020: PCI announces 24-member Para Athletics team. 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710230316/https://www.paralympicindia.org.in/web/post/tokyo-2020-pci-announces-24-member-para-athletics-team. live.
  17. News: 21 May 2021. Indian women's pair of Palak Kohli-Parul Parmar qualify for Paralympics. 5 June 2024. The Times of India. 11 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711043656/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/indian-womens-pair-of-palak-kohli-parul-parmar-qualify-for-paralympics/articleshow/82834968.cms. live.
  18. News: 9 June 2021. Pramod Bhagat, Nagar Krishna, Tarun qualify for Paralympics badminton event. 5 June 2024. The Indian Express. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184455/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/pramod-bhagat-nagar-krishna-tarun-qualify-for-paralympics-badminton-event-7349912/. live.
  19. News: 16 July 2021. Gaurav. Gupta. Tokyo Paralympics: Shuttlers Suhas Yathiraj, Manoj Sarkar get bipartite quotas; India to send seven-member badminton team. 5 June 2024. The Times of India. 16 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210716162153/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/badminton/tokyo-paralympics-shuttlers-suhas-yathiraj-manoj-sarkar-get-bipartite-quotas-india-to-send-seven-member-badminton-team/articleshow/84478504.cms. live.
  20. News: Qualification done, Prachi Yadav eyes Target Olympic Podium Scheme & exposure trip. 19 May 2021. 1 June 2024. The New Indian Express. Firoz. Mirza. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184238/https://www.newindianexpress.com/sport/other/2021/may/19/qualification-done-prachiyadav-eyes-target-olympic-podium-scheme--exposure-trip-2304486.html. live.
  21. Web site: 25 February 2019. Tokyo 2020 Qutoa Allocation after the Châteauroux 2018 World Shooting Para Sport World Cup. International Paralympic Committee. 1 June 2024. 26 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190226050024/https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/document/181003074916971_2020+Quotas+Allocated+-+Current-+After+FRA.pdf. live.
  22. Web site: 25 February 2019. Quota Allocation after the Al Ain 2019 World Cup. International Paralympic Committee. 1 June 2024. 26 February 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190226045939/https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/document/190225092616967_2020+Quotas+Allocated+-+Current-+After+UAE.pdf. live.
  23. News: World records wrap up the Lima 2021 World Cup. 7 July 2021. International Paralympic Committee. 9 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709184628/https://www.paralympic.org/news/world-records-wrap-lima-2021-world-cup. live.
  24. Web site: List of Para Shooters to participate at Paralympics Tokyo 2020. Paralympic Committee of India. 1 June 2024. 11 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210711020412/https://www.paralympicindia.org.in/web/post/list-of-pars-shooters-to-participate-at-paralympics-tokyo-2020. live.
  25. Web site: Calculation of Swimming Slots for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 24 April 2020. International Paralympic Committee. 25 December 2020. 17 July 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200717041855/https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/3_3_2020_FINAL_SLOTS.pdf. live.
  26. Web site: 2020 Summer Paralympics Qualification Guide. 17 November 2020. International Paralympic Committee. 25 December 2020. 10 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210810161108/https://www.paralympic.org/sites/default/files/2020-11/2020_11_10%20Tokyo%20QG.pdf. live.
  27. Web site: 2019 Para Table Tennis Calendar. 16 March 2019. International Table Tennis Federation. 1 June 2024. 22 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210722093719/https://www.ittf.com/2019-para-table-tennis-calendar/. live.
  28. Web site: Shastri. Parth. 3 July 2021. Sabu. Cherian. Girl power from Gujarat in Tokyo-bound India contingent. 5 July 2021. The Times of India. 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710200503/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/girl-power-from-gujarat-in-tokyo-bound-india-contingent/articleshow/84084132.cms. live.
  29. News: 9 June 2021. Aruna Tanwar set to be India's first ever taekwondo entry at Tokyo Paralympics. 5 July 2021. The Times of India. 10 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210710191922/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/tokyo-olympics/aruna-tanwar-set-to-be-indias-first-ever-taekwondo-entry-at-tokyo-paralympics/articleshow/83374841.cms. live.