3 Indian Paralympians who excelled on the world stage

India's presence in the Paralympics has been steadily rising, showcasing remarkable achievements on the global stage. The rise in the Paralympics arena stands as a testament to the country's commitment towards inclusive sports.

In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, India celebrated its best-ever performance by securing the 24th position with a remarkable haul of 19 medals, including five gold, eight silver and six bronze. The Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou witnessed India's most successful campaign yet, clinching a remarkable 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver, and 51 bronze.

In this article, we highlight the accomplishments of three Indian Paralympians who have made their mark in history.

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#1 Murlikant Petkar

Widely regarded as the pioneer of Indian Paralympic sports, Murlikant Petkar made history at the 1972 Paralympic Games in Heidelberg, securing India's maiden gold medal. His triumph in swimming, with a world-record time of 37.331 seconds in the 50-meter freestyle event, marked a watershed moment for Indian para-athletics.

Muralikant Petkar continued to elevate India's standing in the global arena. He regularly competed in prestigious events like the Stoke Mandeville International Paraplegic Meets, where he not only won medals but also continually exceeded his own records.

His dominance in the swimming sport was further underscored by his consecutive victories in the General Championship Cup for five years straight, from 1969 to 1973.

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#2 Mariyappan Thangavelu

Another inspiring figure is Mariyappan Thangavelu, a high jumper from Tamil Nadu, who captured the hearts of millions with his exceptional performance at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including a life-changing injury at a young age, Thangavelu defied all odds to clinch the gold medal in the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the men's high jump category, with a jump of 1.89 m.

His incredible journey of resilience and determination continued at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where he secured a silver medal. He also clinched a silver medal in the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

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#3 Sumit Antil

Sumit Antil, a javelin thrower from Haryana, has made waves in the world of Paralympic sports with his remarkable achievements. His extraordinary talent is highlighted by his current world record of 73.29 meters, set at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.

It was his performance at the Paralympics Tokyo 2020 that truly captivated audiences. Breaking the world record three times during the final, Antil's gold medal win was nothing short of extraordinary. He achieved a significant milestone with a world-record throw of 68.55 meters at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.