1. Avani Lekhara - Shooting - Gold

When a life-altering accident left Avani paralysed, her father didn’t let her spirit dampen. Hailing from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Avani explored sports as a means of rehabilitation and eventually found her true calling in competitive shooting.  Since then, she is on a mission to follow the footsteps of Abhinav Bindra and is undoubtedly succeeding.

2. Nitesh Kumar - Badminton - Gold

Born in Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, Nitesh Kumar loved football, but a train accident left him with permanent leg damage.  During his time at IIT Mandi, he found a new passion in badminton, where he often outplayed able-bodied players. From there, his journey to success in para-badminton only soared higher.

3. Sumit Antil - Javelin Throw - Gold

Sumit’s coach would  ask him to practise at 3 am, and he’d always show up, javelin in hand. Hailing from Sonipat, Haryana, his wrestling dreams ended after a 2015 accident led to the amputation of his left leg.  In 2017, he embraced para-javelin, rising to become a world record-holder and  inspiration.

4. Harvinder Singh - Archery - Gold

Born in Kaithal, Haryana, Harvinder was just one and a half years old when both his legs were impaired after a botched dengue treatment.  But he didn't let circumstances define him. Inspired by the 2012 London Paralympics, he took up archery, becoming India’s first para archer to win multiple Paralympic medals.

5. Dharambir Nain - Club Throw - Gold

Dharambir, from Sonipat, Haryana, lost his mobility after a life-altering accident in 2014. With guidance from Indian Paralympian Amit Saroha, he shifted from discus throw to club throw.  His unwavering dedication paid off at the 2024 Paralympics, where he set an Asian record with a 34.92m throw, winning gold and making history for India.

6. Praveen Kumar - High Jump - Gold

Born with a shorter leg, 21-year-old Praveen turned to sports to overcome his insecurities. His life changed after competing in a high jump event at an able-bodied competition, where he discovered opportunities in para-athletics.  Under the guidance of Dr Satyapal Singh, he shifted focus to high jump, steadily rising as one of India’s top para-athletes in the T64 category.

7. Manish Narwal - Shooting - Silver

Manish Narwal, born with a right-hand deformity in Ballabgarh, Haryana, turned to shooting when football was no longer an option.  Training under Rakesh Thakur, he broke a world record in 2021 and made history with a gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. At Paris 2024, his determination saw him secure a silver medal.

8. Nishad Kumar - High Jump - Silver

Born in Una, Himachal Pradesh, Nishad lost his right hand in a tragic accident at the age of six. Inspired by his mother, he pursued sports with unwavering dedication.  After transitioning to high jump, Nishad became a force in para-athletics, securing multiple medals, including silver at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympics.

9. Yogesh Kathuniya - Discus Throw - Silver

Yogesh, from Bahadurgarh, Haryana, was nine years old when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, which impacted his mobility.  Through his mother’s support, he regained strength and pursued para sports in college. After breaking a world record in 2018, Yogesh continued his success,

10. Thulasimathi Murugesan - Badminton - Silver

Born in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Thulasimathi faced early mobility challenges due to a congenital deformity in her left hand and a major accident that further limited her movement.  Trained by her father, she began playing para-badminton at just seven. At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, her determination earned her a silver in the  Women’s SU5  category.

11. Suhas Yathiraj - Badminton - Silver

Born with a congenital deformity in his left ankle, Suhas from Shivamogga, Karnataka, balanced his career as an IAS officer with his passion for para-badminton.  Despite starting later in life, he quickly became a top player. His message to the world is a bout of motivation: “Don’t have regrets. It’s okay to try  and fail. And if I can  do it, anyone can.”

12. Ajeet Singh Yadav - Javelin Throw - Silver

In 2017, Ajeet Singh  Yadav lost his left arm in a train accident while saving a friend. Despite this life-changing event, the athlete from Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, continued his passion for javelin.  Training under Dr. Rakesh Kumar Yadav, Ajeet overcame physical imbalances to rise in para-athletics. At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, he  delivered a personal  best throw of 65.62m.

13. Sharad Kumar - High Jump - Silver

Sharad, from Motipur, Bihar, contracted polio  at age two, which affected his legs. Inspired by his brother, he pursued high jump despite being excluded from athletics at school.  After winning his first national gold in 2009, Sharad represented India internationally in 2010. His perseverance earned him a silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, adding to his Tokyo 2020  bronze.

14. Sachin Khilari - Shot Put - Silver

Sachin, from Karagani, Maharashtra, lost  mobility in his left hand after a school accident. Introduced to para sports in 2015, he pursued shot put with determination, balancing sports with his role as a mechanical engineer. Despite personal challenges, including multiple surgeries, his perseverance led him to a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics,  setting an Asian  record.

15. Pranav Soorma - Club Throw - Silver

At sixteen, Pranav's  life changed when a fall from a cement sheet severely injured his spinal cord, resulting in permanent paralysis. Despite this, he embraced para-athletics, excelling in club throw.  While pursuing his master’s degree, Pranav thrived in the sport with support from his family, especially from his father, who left his job to accompany him  through training  and competitions.

16. Mona Agarwal - Shooting - Bronze

Born in Sikar, Rajasthan, Mona contracted polio at nine months old, affecting her lower limbs. She excelled in para-athletics and sitting volleyball before shifting to shooting in 2021.  Balancing motherhood and a career, Mona's perseverance saw her rise quickly, winning national and international competitions, setting an Asian record  along the way.

17. Preethi Pal - 100m & 200m - Bronze

Preethi, from Muzaffarnagar, faced significant challenges from birth, wearing callipers for eight years to strengthen her weak legs. Her journey into para-athletics began at 17, inspired by watching the Paralympic Games.  With support from athlete Fatima Khatoon, she competed in state and national championships, continually reaching greater athletic  heights.

18. Rubina Francis - Shooting - Bronze

Rubina Francis, from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, was born into a lower-middle-class family with leg dysfunction.  Her father, a mechanic, struggled to support her growing passion for shooting due to financial constraints. Yet, he supported her, as she began shooting in 2015. Despite challenges, she rapidly progressed in para shooting and emerged as an inspiration to many.

19. Manisha Ramadass - Badminton - Bronze

Born with Erb’s Palsy, Manisha began her para-badminton journey at 11, inspired by Saina Nehwal. She discovered the sport through a friend in 2019 and quickly rose to World No. 1 in her first year.  Winning gold at the 2022 World Championships, she continued to excel, securing a bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, becoming the first Indian woman to medal in badminton at the Paralympics.

20. Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar - Mixed team compound archery - Bronze

Sheetal, from  Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir, was born without arms but found her passion for archery in 2019, excelling under the mentorship of Kuldeep Vedwan.  Rakesh, from Katra, faced paralysis after a 2010 accident, later discovering archery in 2017. Together, they overcame immense challenges, securing a bronze medal in the Mixed Team Compound Archery event at the Paris 2024  Paralympics.

21. Nithya Sre Sivan - Badminton - Bronze

“Being small doesn’t matter, but dreaming big matters a lot,” said Nithya, who faced relentless bullying in school for her short stature.  Hailing from Hosur, Tamil Nadu, her journey began with a love for cricket, but she turned to badminton after the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Inspired by Lin Dan, she pursued para-badminton during the 2020 lockdown and has not looked back  ever since.

22. Deepthi Jeevanji - 400m - Bronze

Hailing from Kalleda, Telangana, Deepthi Jeevanji overcame an intellectual disability and her parents' financial struggles to pursue athletics. After they sold their only land to support her, Deepthi set a world record in the 400m and won bronze at the Paris Paralympics.  She used her prize money to buy back half of the land, turning a symbol  of hardship into  shared victory for  her family.

23. Mariyappan Thangavelu - High Jump - Bronze

Mariyappan  Thangavelu, born in Tamil Nadu, lost his right leg at age five in a bus accident. Raised by a single mother, who worked as a labourer, he developed a passion for high jump.  Despite financial hardships, Mariyappan rose to international success, winning gold at Rio 2016, silver at Tokyo 2020, and bronze at Paris 2024, becoming  the first Indian para-athlete to medal at  three consecutive  Paralympics.

24. Sundar Singh Gurjar - Javelin Throw - Bronze

Sundar, from  Rajasthan's Karauli district, lost his left hand in 2015 when a tin sheet fell on him by accident. Yet, he pursued javelin with relentless passion. Despite injuries before the Paris Paralympics, he secured bronze with a 64.96m throw, adding to his Tokyo medal.  Inspired by Neeraj Chopra, Sundar recalls how a pat on the back from Neeraj during an early competition  fuelled his determination to  succeed.

25. Kapil Parmar - Judo - Bronze

Hailing from Shivor, Madhya Pradesh, Kapil suffered a severe electric shock as a child, leaving him in a coma for six months. Despite this life-altering event, he found his passion in blind judo, encouraged by his mentors and brother.  To financially support his training, Kapil and his brother even ran a tea stall. His resilience led him to make history by winning India’s first para judo bronze at the  Paris Paralympics.

26. Hokato Sema - Shot Put - Bronze

Hokato Sema, a para-athlete from Nagaland and Havildar with the 9 Assam Regiment, lost his leg in a landmine blast at the Line of Control. Refusing to be defined by his disability, he embraced shot put and secured a bronze medal at Paris 2024 with a personal best throw of 14.65m.

27. Navdeep - Javelin Throw - Gold

Navdeep, from  Panipat, Haryana, overcame the challenges of his short stature to excel in javelin throw. Initially drawn to wrestling like his father, Navdeep switched to javelin after a back injury and found success in para-sports. Training under Sandeep Chaudhary, he won gold at the Asian Youth Para Games in 2017. At Paris 2024, Navdeep's impressive 47.32m throw secured his gold medal, showcasing his hard work and determination.

28. Simran - 200m - Bronze

Simran, born with  visual impairment, overcame numerous personal and financial challenges to excel in para-athletics. Her father’s illness and passing deeply affected her, but her determination, alongside the support of her coach and husband, Gajender Singh, kept her focused.  She made her breakthrough at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championship and continued her journey  by qualifying for  the Tokyo Paralympics.

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