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The Indian contingent for the upcoming Paris Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, will comprise 84 athletes and 95 officials, totaling 179 members. This marks a significant increase from the 54-member contingent that represented India at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.The large number of officials accompanying the athletes is attributed to the special needs of para athletes. Many participants will have personal coaches and escorts to assist them with their specific requirements. The contingent includes 77 team officials, nine contingent medical officials, and nine contingent officials.India is sending its largest-ever contingent to the Paralympics, with athletes competing in 12 sports. The para-athletics team is the largest, with 38 competitors, followed by the para-badminton team with 14 members. Other sports represented include para-swimming, para-shooting, para-powerlifting, para-table tennis, para-archery, para-canoeing, para-cycling, para-equestrian, para-rowing, and para-taekwondo.Notable athletes in the contingent include javelin thrower Sumit Antil and shooter Avani Lekhara, both of whom won gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics. They will be accompanied by personal coaches to support their efforts to defend their titles.The participation of the entire contingent, except for the Chef de Mission and one team manager for para badminton, will be funded by the government. All members will receive a daily out-of-pocket allowance of USD 50 during the Games, including acclimatization and training periods.Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia, who is leading the contingent, will stay outside the Games Village to provide support to athletes competing outside Paris. He has expressed optimism that India will surpass its medal tally of 19 from the Tokyo Paralympics, aiming for over 25 medals, including double-digit gold.

PBG Bengaluru Smashers and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis Aim for Continued Success in Ultimate Table Tennis 2024The Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 season is heating up, with both PBG Bengaluru Smashers and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis looking to maintain their winning streaks when they face off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium on Monday.Both teams made impressive starts to the tournament, with PBG Bengaluru Smashers defeating Chennai Lions 11-4 and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis overcoming Ahmedabad SG Pipers 10-5.PBG Bengaluru Smashers' victory was largely due to the heroics of Jeet Chandra, who stunned India's top-ranked male paddler, Achanta Sharath Kamal, 3-0. Captain Alvaro Robles, Lily Zhang, and Anthony Amalraj also contributed to the team's success.Puneri Paltan Table Tennis, meanwhile, relied on the brilliance of Ayhika Mukherjee, who upset the league's highest-ranked player, Bernadette Szocs, 3-0. Ankur Bhattacharjee also impressed with a sweeping win over Lilian Bardet.Both teams will be eager to build on their strong starts and secure a place in the playoffs. A victory for either side could bring them closer to that goal.The match between PBG Bengaluru Smashers and Puneri Paltan Table Tennis promises to be an exciting affair, with both teams boasting talented players and a hunger for success.

Ultimate Table Tennis 2024 witnessed its first upset as debutants Ahmedabad SG Pipers triumphed over reigning champions Athlead Goa Challengers. Led by captain Manush Shah, the Ahmedabad franchise secured their maiden victory in the tournament.Shah played a pivotal role, defeating two-time Olympian Mihai Bobocica 2-1 in the men's singles. Earlier, he partnered with Bernadette Szocs to achieve the same scoreline in the mixed doubles. Frenchman Lilian Bardet also contributed significantly, beating Harmeet Desai 3-0 in the first men's singles.Szocs bounced back from her previous loss to Ayhika Mukherjee by defeating Yashaswini Ghorpade in the first women's singles. The mixed doubles pairing of Shah and Szocs outplayed Harmeet and Yangzi Liu 2-1, handing the tie to Ahmedabad.Reeth Rishya had the opportunity to secure the biggest margin of victory for Ahmedabad, but Liu prevented her from doing so. In the earlier tie, U Mumba TT recorded their first-ever UTT win over Dabang Delhi TTC by 9-6. Sathiyan Gnanasekaran upset World no. 20 Quadri Aruna, while Sutirtha Mukherjee and the pairing of Manav Thakkar and Maria Xiao played crucial roles.Manav sealed the tie for U Mumba TT by defeating Andreas Levenko, while Orawan Paranang reduced the margin of defeat for Delhi. Tomorrow's ties will see Dabang Delhi TTC face Chennai Lions and U Mumba TT take on Jaipur Patriots.

The Indian Under-17 women's wrestling team faced an unfortunate setback at the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan, after missing their scheduled flight back home following their triumphant performance at the World Championships. The team, comprising nine wrestlers and three coaches, was booked on separate flights, leading to the confusion and delay.The coaches, Jai Bhagwan, Shilpi Sheoran, and Rekha Rani, were scheduled to depart on an Emirates flight (EK904) at 6:10 pm with a stopover in Dubai. Their connecting flight was set for 3:55 am, with an estimated arrival time of 9:05 am in Delhi.However, the wrestlers' flight (QR401) with Qatar Airways was initially scheduled to depart at 8:30 pm and arrive in Doha at 11:10 pm. However, the flight status indicated that it had departed at 6:18 pm, raising concerns about whether it had been rescheduled.Sources within the Indian contingent expressed frustration over the separate flight arrangements for the coaches and wrestlers, particularly given the young age of the athletes. "The young women wrestlers have missed the flight. There is a lot of confusion what actually happened. The young wrestlers should not have been booked in a separate flight. SAI should have booked them in the same flight. They are kids," said a source.Efforts were underway to secure the wrestlers on the first available flight, with the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) working to make arrangements for their overnight stay. "See, the WFI is suspended. We are not in full control. We never book young wrestlers and coaches in separate flights. Arrangements are now being made for wrestlers' overnight stay, there is no flight available for Saturday. They will be booked in the first available flight," said a WFI official.The Indian women's wrestling team had a remarkable performance at the World Championships, winning its first-ever team title with 185 points. They secured five gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals, entering nine weight categories.

Rakshitha Raju, a visually impaired athlete from Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka, has made history by becoming the first Indian female athlete to qualify for the Women's 1500m Running T-11 Category at the Paralympics 2024 in Paris. This remarkable achievement is a testament to her unwavering determination and the transformative power of sports.Born with a visual impairment, Rakshitha's journey to the Paralympics has been marked by challenges and triumphs. Losing her parents at a young age, she was raised by her grandmother, who herself has speech and hearing impairments. Despite these obstacles, Rakshitha's passion for athletics ignited during her school days at the Ashakirana School for the Blind.Under the guidance of her physical education teacher, Rakshitha discovered her talent for running. It was during one of her early competitions that she met her current coach and guide runner, Rahul Balakrishna. Together, they have worked tirelessly to hone her skills and prepare her for the rigors of international competition.Rakshitha's journey to the Paralympics has been supported by CBM India, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering people with disabilities. Through their Inclusive Sports program, CBM India provides tailored support to Para athletes, including Rakshitha. This support has been instrumental in her preparation for the Paralympics, enabling her to focus on her training without the burden of financial constraints.Speaking about her selection for the Paralympics, Rakshitha expressed her gratitude and excitement. "I am incredibly honored and excited to represent India at the Paris Paralympics. This journey has been filled with challenges, but each step has brought me closer to my dream. I am grateful to CBM India for their unwavering support and belief in my talent."Mr. Sony Thomas, Executive Director of CBM India, hailed Rakshitha's achievement as a testament to the transformative power of sports. "Rakshitha Raju's journey to the Paralympics 2024 is a true example of the transformative power of sports. At CBM India, we are deeply honored to have supported Rakshitha in her athletic career. Her story captures her spirit of resilience and determination. Rakshitha's success reflects our broader commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of life. We are immensely proud of her achievements and look forward to cheering her on as she represents India on the world stage."Rakshitha's selection for the Paralympics is not only a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for India. Her participation in the Women's 1500m Running T-11 Category will inspire countless others with disabilities to pursue their dreams and break down barriers.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's hopes of a strong finish at the Sinquefield Cup took a hit as he squandered a winning position against Wesley So of America in the fifth round. The Indian prodigy, who had a chance to move into contention for the title, faltered in the endgame, allowing So to escape with a draw.Praggnanandhaa's setback was compounded by World Championship challenger D Gukesh, who settled for a hard-fought draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. The Indian duo, who have been in impressive form this year, have now dropped valuable points in the tournament.Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja of France emerged as the sole leader after beating Anish Giri of Holland. The French prodigy, who has been in scintillating form, now has 3.5 points, a half point ahead of So.The other matches in the 10-player round-robin tournament ended in draws. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, Ding Liren of China, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, and Fabiano Caruana of the United States all shared the third spot on 2.5 points each.Praggnanandhaa's loss was particularly disappointing as he had been in a commanding position against So. The Indian had a significant material advantage in the endgame but failed to convert it into a victory. This has been a recurring theme for Praggnanandhaa, who has often struggled to close out games from winning positions.Despite the setback, Praggnanandhaa remains in contention for a top-three finish. He will need to bounce back strongly in the remaining rounds and hope that the leaders falter.

Shaik Arshad, a Paralympic cyclist, is on a mission to bring home a gold medal from the upcoming Paralympics in Paris. His journey to the top has been filled with challenges and triumphs, but his determination remains unwavering.Arshad's athletic career began with taekwondo, where he earned a green belt. However, his passion for sports extended beyond martial arts. He explored archery and wheelchair fencing, winning numerous medals at the state level. Despite his successes, he failed to make it to the national level, leaving him feeling disheartened.Undeterred, Arshad attended a camp in Bengaluru, where he was selected for cycling training. This marked the beginning of his journey in para-cycling. With the support of his coach, who recognized his potential, Arshad dedicated himself to the sport.In 2018, he received a silicone leg, which significantly improved his training. In 2019, he participated in a camp in Gujarat, where he scaled Mount Bhagirathi, demonstrating his endurance and commitment.Arshad's first international competition was in Tajikistan, where he narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. However, he remained undeterred, with his coach's guidance continually pushing him forward. His dedication led him to undertake a monumental feat, cycling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, showcasing his endurance and commitment.With the Paralympics approaching, Arshad's focus is sharper than ever. "When I'm riding, my mind is completely on my training," he says. "I almost left this career once, but my coach brought me back on track. Now, there's nothing but the goal in my mind."Arshad's journey is not just about winning medals, it's about inspiring others and proving that with hard work and determination, anything is possible. As he sets his sights on Paris, he carries with him the hopes and dreams of a nation, and with every pedal stroke, he moves closer to turning those dreams into reality.

Indian shooting contingent is poised to surpass its Tokyo Paralympics medal tally at the upcoming Paris Games, according to pistol marksman Manish Narwal. The team's intense training regimen has prepared them for success, he said.A 10-member shooting contingent, including rifle exponent Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal, and Narwal, will compete at the Chateauroux Centre near Paris from August 30. India had won two gold, a silver, and two bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics."Our preparations have been intense, and we are eager to give our best shot in Paris. We aim to surpass our previous performance and bring more medals home," said Narwal, who won the 50m pistol (SH1) gold in Tokyo and will be competing in 10m air pistol at the Paris Games.Besides Narwal, Avani, and Mona, the other members of the shooting contingent are Amir Ahmad Bhat, Rudransh Khandelwal, Rubina Francis, Swaroop Unahalkar, Sidhartha Babu, Shriharsha Devaraddi, and Nihal Singh.The spotlight will be on reigning Paralympic champion Avani, who made history by becoming the first woman shooter from India to win two medals in Tokyo. The Jaipur shooter, then 19, had clinched gold in 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3-positions (SH1). She will look to replicate her gold medal-winning performances in Paris.The Paralympic Committee is expecting a record-breaking 25-plus medals in Paris, and the performance of the shooting team will have a great impact on the overall tally.

Sarabjot Singh, the Indian shooter who made history with Manu Bhaker by winning India's first-ever Olympic medal in a mixed shooting event, has revealed the challenges and inspirations behind their success.Despite limited training time together, Bhaker and Sarabjot managed to secure a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team shooting event at the Paris Games. Sarabjot attributed their success to their unwavering determination and brief but focused training sessions."Our training schedules were different, but we made the most of the 30-minute mixed session," said Sarabjot. "We kept our conversations brief, focusing on giving our best and having some friendly banter."Sarabjot also shared his admiration for Turkish shooting icon Yusuf Dikec, who has been his inspiration since 2011. "I've been watching his videos for years," said Sarabjot. "His perfection is unmatched. If I could, I'd ask him what his secret is."To overcome setbacks in his journey, Sarabjot turned to meditation and a yogic technique called Trataka. "I would stare at a candle flame for three minutes, then visualize it for two minutes," he explained. "It helped me improve my focus and visualization, which is crucial in shooting."Sarabjot's pistol, engraved with "SSINGH30," holds special significance. "I got it engraved after achieving my personal best at the 2022 Asian Games," he said. "The date, September 30, marked a significant milestone in my career."Looking ahead, Sarabjot has set his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games. "I want to change the color of my medal," he said, referring to his bronze. "I'm determined to bring home a gold."