Day 2 of the Paris Paralympics 2024 has been a significant one for India, with the nation's athletes showcasing their determination and skill across multiple events. The highlight of the day has been the remarkable performance of Indian shooters and sprinter Preethi Pal, who have together added four medals to India's tally. Here’s a detailed look at the day's major events.
♦ Shooting Triumphs: Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, and Manish Narwal Shine
Indian shooters stole the spotlight on Day 2 with their impressive performances in the 10m Air Rifle and Air Pistol events. Avani Lekhara, who had previously won gold in the Tokyo Paralympics, once again proved her mettle by securing a gold medal in the Women's 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 final. Avani set a new Paralympic Games record with an outstanding aggregate of 249.7, sealing her victory dramatically. She was initially trailing in second place but surged ahead with her final shot to clinch gold.
In the same event, Mona Agarwal added to India's joy by winning the bronze medal. Mona's steady performance throughout the final earned her a total of 228.7 points, securing India’s first medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024.
In the Men's 10m Air Pistol event, Manish Narwal delivered a stellar performance, securing a silver medal with a total of 234.9 points. Although he was narrowly beaten by Korea’s Jeongdu Jo, who won gold with 237.4 points, Manish’s silver added another significant achievement to India's shooting accolades at the Games.
♦ Historic Sprint: Preethi Pal Makes History in Women’s 100m T35
In the athletics arena, Preethi Pal made history by becoming the first Indian sprinter to win a medal at the Paralympic Games. Competing in the Women's 100m T35 final, Preethi secured a bronze medal with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds. Her achievement not only marks a milestone for Indian para-athletics but also adds another medal to India's growing tally at the Paris Paralympics.
♦ Table Tennis Drama: Manasi Joshi and Manoj Sarkar’s Mixed Fortunes
In table tennis, India's Manasi Joshi faced a heartbreaking exit in the Women's Singles Group A match. Despite having three game points in the deciding game, Manasi was unable to capitalize, losing to Ukraine's Oksana Kozyna in a closely contested match with scores of 10-21, 21-15, 23-21. This loss ended Manasi's journey at the Paris Paralympics.
In the Men’s Singles SL3 Group A match, Manoj Sarkar had a challenging start against Thailand’s Mongkhon Bunsun, losing his first game. Manoj will need to regroup and come back stronger in the subsequent rounds to stay in medal contention.
♦ Bhavina and Sonalben Patel Stay Alive in Doubles
In the Women’s Doubles WD10 quarterfinal, the Indian duo of Bhavina Patel and Sonalben Patel displayed resilience as they fought back to win the third game against Korea’s Young A Jung and Sunghye Moon. This crucial victory keeps their medal hopes alive, with the pair needing to continue their momentum to secure a podium finish.
♦ Near Misses and Close Calls: Devaraddi Sriharsha and Others
Not all of India's athletes were able to make it to the podium on Day 2. Devaraddi Sriharsha, competing in the mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 event, narrowly missed out on a spot in the final. Devaraddi finished 9th out of 29 shooters with a total score of 630.7, falling just 0.1 points short of qualifying for the final. This near miss was a tough pill to swallow, highlighting the fine margins that often define success and disappointment at the highest level.
Similarly, Sakshi Kasana and Karam Jyoti were unable to secure medals in their respective events, finishing in fourth and fifth positions, respectively. Their efforts, however, reflect the depth of talent and competitive spirit in India's Paralympic contingent.
♦ A Promising Start for India
With four medals already in the bag, India’s campaign at the Paris Paralympics 2024 is off to a promising start. The performances on Day 2 have set a positive tone for the rest of the Games, with Indian athletes continuing to inspire with their grit and determination. As the competition progresses, the nation will be eagerly watching to see how the remaining events unfold, hoping for more moments of glory.
Inputs by Agencies
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