Rio Paralympics 2016, Indian Team: Complete list of the 19 Indian athletes for the Paralympic Games

#3 Powerlifting

Farman Basha has previously represented India in the 2012 Paralympic Games at London

Farman Basha (Powerlifting)

Farman Basha is India’s only participant in the powerlifting competition in Rio 2016. The powerlifter has represented India at the 2012 Paralympic Games as well in London where he could not finish on the podium. The athlete won a bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Para Games held in Guangzhou, China.

The Indian hails from Bangalore, Karnataka and holds a diploma in electronics and television engineering. Basha is affected with poliomyelitis, which he contracted when he was only one year old. Due to this permanent physical impairment, he is unable to ambulate and uses callipers and a wheelchair. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2008 for his contribution to the sport.

#4 Shooting

Naresh Sharma has featured in every edition of the Paralympics since 1996

Naresh Kumar Sharma (Shooting 50m free rifle - 3 Positions)

Naresh Kumar Sharma is the only shooter who will be representing India at the Rio Paralympic Games. Sharma had become the first Indian Paralympian athlete to book his place in the Rio 2016 Paralympics event as he finished at the 12th place in men's 50m rifle three position shooting at the IPC Shooting World Cup at Fort Benning.The 42-year old former Arjuna awardee booked his fifth Paralympic quota, having featured in every Paralympics since 1996, missing out only in Athens 2004. The veteran had his best finish in 2008 Beijing Paralympics, where he had finished 5th. Sharma will be looking to end his career with a podium finish in Rio and will expect his experience to work in his favour. He will be competing in the SH11 disability category.

#5 Swimming

Suyash Jadhav became the first Indian para-swimmer to have achieved the A qualifying mark for the 2016 Paralympics

Suyash Narayan Jadhav (Swimming)

Suyash Narayan Jadhav is going to be India’s only swimmer at this year’s Paralympics. The swimmer had lost both his hands in the year 2004 to a loose electric wire. The 22-year old had become the first Indian para-swimmer to have achieved the ‘A’ qualifying mark for 2016 Paralympics in Rio.

Suyash hails from the town of Solapur in Maharashtra and will be competing in the men’s 50m butterfly competition in Rio. The swimmer recently won three silver medals at the 2016 German swimming championships and will be looking to make an impact at the Games.