Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to congratulate Indian para-athletes Preeti Pal and Nishad Kumar for their remarkable achievements at the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024. Their exceptional performances have added to India’s growing medal tally, making the nation proud on the global stage.
On Sunday, Preeti Pal made history by clinching the bronze medal in the 200m T-35 race, becoming the first-ever Indian woman athlete to win two medals in track and field events at either the Paralympics or the Olympics. Preeti’s bronze not only showcased her immense talent but also her perseverance, as she sprinted into the history books and the hearts of millions of Indians.
Early Monday morning, Nishad Kumar continued India’s success story at the Paralympics by securing a silver medal in the men’s high jump T47 final. Nishad, who also won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago, delivered a season-best performance with a leap of 2.04 meters. His consistency and dedication have earned him yet another prestigious accolade, further solidifying his place among India’s top para-athletes.
Tendulkar Applauds Preeti Pal and Nishad Kumar for Medals at Paris Paralympics
Tendulkar, known for his support of Indian athletes across various sports, expressed his admiration for the duo’s achievements. On his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Tendulkar stated that both Preeti and Nishad are “soaring to new heights and sprinting into people’s hearts” with their outstanding performances at the Paris Paralympics. His words of praise resonate with the entire nation, celebrating the relentless spirit of these athletes who have overcome numerous challenges to shine on the world stage.
India has won a total of seven medals at the Paris Paralympics 2024, including one gold, two silver, and four bronze medals. The medal rush began on Friday when reigning Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara continued her winning streak by striking gold in the women’s 10m air rifle final. Shooter Mona Agarwal also contributed to India’s tally by bagging a bronze medal in the same event.
Rubina added another bronze medal to India’s tally on Saturday, finishing third in the P2-Women’s 10M Air Pistol SH-1 final with a total of 211.1 points. Javanmardi Sareh of Iran took home the gold with 236.8 points, while Turkey’s Ozgan Aysel secured the silver medal with 231.1 points.
India’s first silver medal at the Paris Paralympics came in shooting as well, with Manish Narwal claiming silver in the men’s P1 10m air pistol SH1 competition. Narwal’s performance marked the beginning of India’s impressive medal haul in the French capital.
The ongoing Paris Paralympics have seen India’s largest-ever contingent, comprising 84 athletes across 12 sports, a reflection of the country’s expanding para-sports ecosystem. With increased participation, India is not only showcasing its talent on the global stage but also aiming to surpass its previous achievements. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, India achieved its best-ever performance, securing 19 medals: 5 golds, 8 silvers, and 6 bronzes. This historic success marked a significant milestone for Indian para-athletes on the global stage.
As India continues to break barriers and set new records at the Paris Paralympics 2024, the nation looks forward to even more triumphs from its para-athletes, who are proving that no challenge is too great to overcome. With the support of legends like Sachin Tendulkar and the entire nation behind them, the future of para-sports in India appears brighter than ever.
