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Gold medal-winning archer Harvinder Singh and sprinter Preethi Pal, who made history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman to win two medals at the Paralympics, will be the country's flag bearers during the closing ceremony of the Paris Games on Sunday.Harvinder, 33, who had also scripted history by becoming the first Indian archer to clinch a gold at the Paralympics to add to the bronze he won in Tokyo in 2021, said carrying the country's flag during the closing ceremony was the highest honor he could have dreamed of."Winning gold for India has been a dream come true, and now leading our nation as a flag-bearer at the closing ceremony is the highest honor I could imagine. This victory is for everyone who believed in me, and I hope to inspire many more to pursue their dreams," said the Haryana-based Harvinder, who has impairment in both legs since he was a toddler.Preethi, 23, who clinched bronze medals in women's T35 100m and 200m competitions with personal best timings of 14.21 and 30.01 seconds respectively, said she was thrilled with the news."It is a great honor to represent India as a flag bearer. This moment is not just about me; it's about every para-athlete who has pushed their limits to make our nation proud. I am thrilled to be leading our incredible team at the closing ceremony." Preeti, born in Uttar Pradesh, is a T35 athlete, who suffers from coordination impairments such as hypertonia, ataxia, and athetosis.The Indian contingent's chef de mission Satya Prakash Sangwan said in a statement that the two athletes' performance will inspire future generations."Harvinder Singh's historic gold in archery and Preethi Pal's stellar performance in athletics have made them true ambassadors of our nation's grit and determination.""Their role as flag-bearers at the closing ceremony is a symbol of the incredible journey our athletes have undertaken. Their achievements inspire us all, and I am confident they will continue to motivate future generations of para-athletes," said Sangwan.India has so far won 26 medals, including six gold and nine silver, which is their best-ever performance at the Paralympics.

Gagan Narang Lauds Indian Para Athletes' Performance at ParalympicsLondon Games bronze medallist shooter and India's Chef de Mission at the Paris Olympics, Gagan Narang, has expressed his admiration for the country's para athletes for their exceptional performance at the ongoing Paralympics. The Indian Paralympic contingent has already secured a record 25 medals, including 5 gold, 9 silver, and 11 bronze, and currently stands at the 16th position in the medal tally.Narang praised the para athletes for surpassing the medal tally of the Tokyo Paralympics and expressed his anticipation for more medals in the future. He emphasized the importance of recognizing their achievements and supporting their continued success."A fantastic effort by our Paralympians. They surpassed the Tokyo Paralympics medal tally, looking forward for more medals," Narang said.When asked about his analysis of the Paris Olympic Games, Narang stated that he had not yet conducted a thorough assessment. He stressed the significance of focusing on the present and supporting the para athletes' ongoing performance."I haven't done my analysis of the Paris Olympics yet, everybody has spoken about it. But the most important thing right now is that in the Paralympics we are performing well, we are on the 16th position today," Narang said.Narang also shared his passion for photography and expressed his appreciation for the photographs displayed at the Media Photojournalist Trust's photo exhibition event at the Press Club of India. He emphasized the vital role of photographers in journalism and the irreplaceable value of their perspectives."Fantastic exhibition indeed, photographers are lifeline of journalism. They give us a perspective and no AI (Artificial Intelligence) can replace them. I wish, pray and help the association to do this function every year. Fantastic effort and great pictures," Narang concluded.

India's Paralympic archery campaign suffered a setback as the Mixed Team Recurve Open duo of Harvinder Singh and Pooja Jatyan narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in a shoot-off.Harvinder, the reigning Paralympic champion in the Men's Individual Recurve Open, and Pooja began strongly, winning the first set 33-30. However, they faltered in the second set, scoring only 29 points, allowing Slovenia's Ziva Lavrinc and Dejan Fabcic to level the match.The Indian pair regained the lead in the third set with a 34-38 victory, but they failed to capitalize in the fourth set, scoring only 29 points to Slovenia's 34.In the shoot-off, Harvinder and Pooja scored 17 points, while Lavrinc and Fabcic scored 19, securing the bronze medal for Slovenia.Earlier, Harvinder and Pooja had lost to eventual gold medalists Elkisabetta Mijno and Stefano Travisani of Italy in the semifinals. The Indian duo had also faced a close 5-4 win over Australia's Taymon Kenton-Smith and Amanda Jennings in the quarterfinals.Despite the disappointment, Harvinder's historic gold medal in the Men's Individual Recurve Open remains a significant achievement for India in Paralympic archery.

India's Paralympic campaign in Tokyo ended on a bittersweet note as para-athletes Simran Sharma and Ashok narrowly missed out on podium finishes.Simran Sharma, who had stormed into the women's 100m T12 final, finished last among the four finalists with a timing of 12.31s. Cuba's Omara Durand Elias, the world record-holder, claimed gold with a time of 11.81s, followed by Ukraine's Oksana Boturchuk (12.17s) and Germany's Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt (12.26s).Powerlifter Ashok, competing in the men's 65kg final, finished sixth with a best lift of 199kg. He had successfully lifted 196kg in his first attempt and 199kg in his second, but failed to lift 206kg in his third and final attempt. China's Yi Zou won gold with a lift of 215kg, while Great Britain's Mark Swan took silver with 213kg and Algeria's Hocine Bettir claimed bronze with 209kg.Despite the disappointing results for Simran and Ashok, India's para-archery team made history by winning two medals at the Paralympics for the first time. Harvinder Singh won India's first-ever gold medal in para archery with a straight-set victory over Poland's Lukasz Ciszek in the men's individual recurve open final. The Indian para archery team also won a bronze medal in the mixed team recurve open event.India's overall performance at the Tokyo Paralympics was a testament to the growing strength and determination of its para-athletes. The country's record-breaking medal tally of 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes, is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of these exceptional individuals.

Indian para-athlete Ajeet Singh Yadav has etched his name in history by securing a silver medal in the javelin throw F46 final at the Paris Paralympics 2024. His remarkable achievement is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience in the face of adversity.Yadav's journey to the podium has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. In 2017, a life-altering accident left him with a severe injury to his left arm. However, instead of succumbing to despair, Yadav found solace in javelin throw. With unwavering focus and dedication, he transformed his misfortune into a source of inspiration.Four years after the accident, Yadav made his Paralympic debut in Tokyo, finishing eighth. Undeterred, he continued to train relentlessly, overcoming an elbow injury to claim the Para World title in Paris and a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.In 2024, Yadav's hard work culminated in a bronze medal at the world championships. His momentum carried him to the Paris Paralympics, where he delivered a stunning performance to secure a silver medal. His fifth-round throw of 65.62m surpassed that of his compatriot and world record holder Sundar Singh Gurjar.Yadav's triumph is not only a personal victory but also a symbol of hope and inspiration for countless others who have faced challenges in their lives. His story serves as a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.

Simran Sharma, India's reigning world champion in the women's 100m - T12, has secured her place in the final at the Paris Paralympics. Accompanied by her guide Abhay Singh, the 24-year-old finished second in semifinal 2 with a time of 12.33 seconds at the Stade de France on Thursday.Simran's journey to the final was not without its challenges. Born prematurely, she spent the first 10 weeks of her life in an incubator, where it was discovered that she had visual impairment. Despite the obstacles, Simran's determination and resilience have propelled her to the pinnacle of her sport.Coached by her husband Gajendra Singh, an Army Service Corps officer, Simran trains at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Her hard work and dedication have paid off, as she has consistently dominated the National Championship and Indian Open in both the 100m and 200m since 2022.Simran's success on the international stage is equally impressive. She won two silver medals at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year and clinched the T12 200m gold in style at the World Championships in Japan in June. Her performance at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to her unwavering spirit and the support of her team.In the semifinal, Simran finished behind Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt of Germany, who clocked 12.26 seconds. Omara Durand of Cuba topped the first semifinal with a time of 12.01 seconds. As per the rules, the first-placed runner in each semifinal and the next two fastest advanced to the final. Simran's time of 12.33 seconds was the third fastest overall, securing her a spot in the final.Simran's journey from being mocked for her visual impairment to winning gold at the World Para Athletics Championships and now reaching the Paralympics final is an inspiration to all. Her story is a reminder that with determination and support, anything is possible.

Para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji returned to India on Thursday as a national hero after securing a bronze medal in the women's 400m T20 final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics. Jeevanji, making her Paralympic debut, showcased exceptional speed and determination throughout the competition.In the final, Jeevanji started strongly but faced a challenge in the final phase of the race. Despite her best efforts, she finished behind Ukraine's Yuliia Shuliar (gold) and Turkey's Aysel Onder (silver). However, her time of 55.82s was enough to secure a podium finish and add to India's growing medal tally.Jeevanji's bronze medal is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She qualified for the final with a sensational run in the qualification round, finishing first in her heat with a time of 55.45s. Her performance in Paris has not only brought glory to India but also inspired countless aspiring athletes.India's Paralympic contingent has enjoyed a remarkable run in Paris, with several athletes achieving podium finishes. Para-athletes Dharambir and Pranav Soorma claimed gold and silver medals, respectively, in the men's club throw F51 final. Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar also secured silver and bronze medals in the men's javelin throw F46 event.In addition to Jeevanji's bronze, India has also won gold medals in para archery, para shooting, and para-shuttle. Para-archer Harvinder Singh made history by winning India's first-ever gold medal in para archery at the Paralympics. Para-shooter Avani Lekhra and javelin thrower Sumit Antil also contributed to India's gold medal count.The Indian contingent's success at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to the country's growing support for para-sports. The athletes' achievements have not only brought pride to the nation but also raised awareness about the abilities and potential of individuals with disabilities.

Indian discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya has expressed the need to enhance his mental fortitude after securing a silver medal at the Paris Paralympics, marking his fifth consecutive second-place finish since the Tokyo Games.Kathuniya, 27, achieved a season-best throw of 42.22m in the discus throw F-56 event, but acknowledged that his mental strength has been lacking. "I have lacked in mental strength. I will have to build up more, just as it was before, in 2022. Since I got injured, due to cervical, it has come down," he said.The athlete, who competes from a seated position, has faced challenges including chickenpox and cervical radiculopathy. Despite these setbacks, he remains determined to improve. "It's okay. I am still young. I can easily play two more Paralympics. I will do better. I will change my style this time. I have a World Championship next year. I will perform well next year," he said.Kathuniya's silver medal in Paris follows similar results at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, as well as the Asian Para Games last year. He believes that participating in more competitions leading up to the Paris Games would have been beneficial. "I think I made a mistake. I should have played a little more competition. I should have played more events. I was not ready. I played only two events this year. I should not have done that."Despite his recent string of silver medals, Kathuniya's hunger for success remains strong. "To be honest, my hunger will never end. Even if I hit 50m, my hunger will not end. I want to show the world that it was Yogesh Kathuniya who crossed 50m in a seated throw, the first person in the world."Kathuniya is now planning a two-month break, including a solo trip to Switzerland, to focus on his mental well-being. "I think my mind should be relaxed. And I will have to go away from sports once. So that I can focus more on mental strength."

Indian para-athlete Amisha narrowly missed out on a medal in the F46 Shot Put final at the ongoing Paris Paralympics, finishing 14th with a personal best of 9.25 m. The podium was dominated by Noelle Malkamaki of the USA, who set a new world record with a throw of 14.06 m, Mariia Shpatkivska of Ukraine with an area record of 12.35 m, and Holly Robinson of New Zealand with a throw of 11.88 m.In the men's up to 49 kg para-lifting category, India's Parmjeet Kumar also failed to secure a medal, finishing eighth with a best lift of 150 kg. The gold medal went to Jordan's Qarada Omar Sami Hamadeh (181 kg), followed by Turkey's Abdullah Kayapinar (180 kg) and Vietnam's Le Van Cong (171 kg).Despite these setbacks, the Indian contingent has already amassed 21 medals (three gold, eight silver, and ten bronze) and is poised to extend its record medal haul in a single edition of the Paralympics. In the Tokyo edition, India recorded its best-ever medal tally of 19 (five gold, eight silver, and six bronze).On Wednesday, para-athlete Sachin Khilari clinched the silver medal in the men's shot put F46 final with a throw of 16.32 m, setting an area record. However, he narrowly missed the gold by 0.6 m.Over the past few days, the Indian contingent has won 13 medals, including golds for Avani Lekhara in the women's 10m air rifle and Sumit Antil in the men's javelin throw F64, silver medals for Manish Narwal in the men's 10m air pistol SH1 and Nishad Kumar in the men's high jump T47, and bronze medals for Mona Agarwal in the women's 10m air rifle, Rubina Francis in the women's 10m air pistol SH-1, Preeti Pal in the women's 100m T35, Yogesh Kathuniya in the men's discus throw F56, Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi in the mixed team compound archery, Nithya Sre Sivan in the women's SH6 para-badminton, Nitesh in the men's singles SL3 para-badminton, Thulasimathi Murugesan in the women's singles SU5 para-badminton, and Manisha in the women's singles SU5 para-badminton.