Paralympics: Most Successful Indian Athletes

India made its debut in the 1968 Summer Paralympics, held in Israel. It competed again in the 1972 games which were held in West Germany. And, then remained absent until the 1984 Summer Games held in New York City. Since then the country has participated in every edition of the Summer Paralympics. Here is a list of some of the famous para-athletes who have represented India in different Paralympic events.

Devendra Jhajharia

Nature of Disability: Amputation (left arm, below elbow)

Devendra Jhajharia is a Paralympic Javelin Thrower and is the most successful Indian Paralympian. He is the first Indian Para-athlete to win two gold medals at the Paralympics. He got his first gold at the 2004 summer Paralympics and the second at the 2016 games where he broke his own record. He also won a Silver Medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in Javelin Throw F46 Event. Devendra has been awarded Padma Shri, Arjuna Award and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.

Mariyappan Thangavelu

Nature of disability: Stunted right leg below knee

Mariyappan Thangavelu is a Paralympic high-jumper who won a Gold Medal at the 2016 summer Paralympics in the high jump T-42 category. Meriyappan also won Silver Medal in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Mariyappan was run over by a drunk bus driver while walking to school; the bus crushed his leg below the knee, causing it to become stunted. He has been awarded Padma Shree, Arjuna Award and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna for his commendable performances in sports.

Avani Lekhara

Nature of Disability: Paralysis (waist-below)

Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympics Gold Medal when she came at top in Women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 event at Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Avani met a car accident at the age of eleven. The accident left her paralyzed waist-below.

Sumit Antil

Nature of disability: Amputation (left leg below the knee)

Sumit Antil won Gold Medal in men’s javelin throw F64 category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. While on the way to this Gold Medal, Sumit creqated a World Record with the throw of 68.55 meters. He lost his left leg below knee after a road accident in 2015. Sumit has done B.Com. from Ramjas college of Delhi University.

Bhavina Patel

Nature of Disability: Polio (at the age of 12), wheelchair user

Bhavina, born in Mehsana (Gujarat), won Silver Medal in Class 4 Table Tennis in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Bhavina contracted polio at the age of 12 and she is a wheelchair user. She participates in Class 4 Para Table Tennis events and before Tokyo Silver Medal she has won bronze medal in International Table Tennis Federation Asian Para Table Tennis Championship.

Murlikant Petkar

Murlikant Petkar is the first Paralympic gold medalist of India who represented India at the 1968 and 1972 Paralympic Games. He bagged the gold medal in the 1972 summer Paralympic where he set a world record in the 50 m freestyle swimming event. Petkar also competed in javelin throw and precision javelin throw. He received the Arjuna Award in 2018. Petkar is a war veteran who got injured and disabled in the 1965 war against Pakistan.

Deepa Malik

Nature of Disability: Paralysis (waist below) due to a surgery for removal of tumor from spinal cord

Deepa Malik is an Indian para-athlete who started her career at the age of 30 but proved herself by bagging multiple medals at many international sporting events. She is the first Indian woman to win a medal in the Paralympic games. She bagged a silver medal in shot put during the 2016 summer Paralympics held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Deepa has received several national and international awards and recognition including the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award and the President Role Model Award.

Yogesh Kathuniya

Nature of disability: Guillain-Barre syndrome (a Chronic Neurological Disorder)

Yogesh won Silver Medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Men’s discus throw F56 event. He earlier won a Bronze Medal in World Para Athletics Championship 2019 in Dubai.

Sharad Kumar

Sharad won Bronze Medal in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in High Jump T-42 Event. He jumped 1.83 meters to win the third place in the competition.

Varun Singh Bhati

Varun Singh Bhati is a para high jumper who has won several medals including a Bronze Medal at the 2016 summer Paralympic games. He participates in the T-42 category. He was awarded the Arjuna Award on 29th August 2018.

Sundar Singh Gurjar

Sunder Singh Gurjar is a Paralympic javelin thrower, shot putter and discus thrower who competes in the F46 events. Sundar Singh won Bronze Medal in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Javelin Throw F46 Event. He has won a number of national and international awards at various sporting events.

Farman Basha

Farman Basha is an Indian powerlifter who represented India in the 2012 Summer Paralympic held in London, United Kingdom. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2008.

Girish N. Gowda

Girish is a Paralympic high jumper who represented India in the 2012 summer Paralympic games. He bagged a silver medal in the men F-42 category. He has received a number of awards including the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.

Rinku Hooda

Rinku Hooda is a young para javelin thrower who competes in the F-46 category. He represented India in the 2016 summer Paralympic held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Amit Kumar Saroha

Amit Saroha is considered one of the top para-athletes of India. He represented India at the 2012 Paralympic games and became the first quadriplegic to represent India in Paralympics. He competes in the F-51 category in the discus throw and club throw. Amit is also an Arjuna Awardee.

Suyash Jadhav

Suyash Jadhav is a para swimmer who competes in the S7 category. He was the only para swimmer who achieved an ‘A’ qualifying mark for the 2016 Paralympics. He is now vying to improve his timings further to get within medal contention for the Tokyo Paralympics 2021.

Narender Ranbir

Narender Ranbir is a para javelin thrower who competes in the F44 category. He has represented India in the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympic Games.

Joginder Singh Bedi

JS Bedi is a track and field para-athlete. He represented India in the 1984 Summer Paralympics where he won three medals.

Rajinder Singh Rahelu

Rajinder Singh Rahelu is a para powerlifter who won a bronze medal in the 2004 Summer Paralympic in the 56 Kg category. He again represented India in the 2008 and 2012 summer Paralympics. He received the Arjuna Award in 2006.

Sharath M. Gayakwad

Sharath is a Paralympic swimmer who represented India in the 2012 summer Paralympic held in London. He is the first Indian swimmer to qualify for the Paralympics. He broke P.T. Usha’s record for the most number of medals by an Indian at any multi-discipline event by winning 6 medals, at the 2014 Asian Games.