Paralympics 2024 Day 1 Live Updates: A Promising Start for India’s Para-Athletes

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Explore the highlights of Day 1 at the Paralympics 2024 in Paris, where India’s largest-ever contingent of para-athletes, including para-shuttlers, shooters, and swimmers, took center stage.

Paralympics 2024 Day 1 Highlights

The Paralympics 2024 in Paris kicked off with great anticipation as India’s largest-ever contingent of para-athletes began their journey on Day 1. This edition of the Paralympics is especially significant for India, with 84 para-athletes, including 32 women, competing across 22 sports disciplines. India is also marking its debut in three new sports: para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo, reflecting the country’s growing prowess in para-sports.

Paralympics 2024 Day 1 Highlights: Para-Shuttlers in Action

The day started on a high note for Indian para-badminton as T Murugesan and K Nitesh secured a commanding 21-14, 21-17 victory over fellow Indians S Yathiraj and P Kohli in the mixed doubles SL/SU Group A match. This India vs India clash set the tone for a day full of intense competition.

However, not all news was favorable in badminton. Mandeep Kaur, one of India’s hopes in the Women’s Singles SL3 Group B category, faced a tough challenge from Nigeria’s Mariam Bolaji. Despite her best efforts, Mandeep succumbed to a 21-8, 21-14 defeat, highlighting the fierce global competition at these games.

In the Mixed Doubles SH6 Group B fixture, S Solaimalai and NS Sivan faced a hard-fought match against J Simon and M Krajewski, ultimately losing 21-23, 11-21. The narrow loss in the first game showed the competitive spirit of the Indian duo, even though they couldn’t capitalize on it in the second game.

Focus on Shooting and Swimming

Beyond the badminton courts, Indian athletes were also gearing up for the events in shooting and swimming. The pre-event training sessions in para-shooting were crucial as Indian shooters prepared for their first official competitions. The Women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 and the Mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 pre-event training sessions began at 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM, respectively, offering a glimpse into the intense preparation required for these precision sports.

Para-swimming, another event where India has shown promise in the past, featured both men’s and women’s doubles events starting at 1:30 PM. The swimmers were set to dive into action, hoping to make waves in the pool and bring home medals.

New Sports and Increased Participation

This year, the inclusion of three new sports for India—para-cycling, para-rowing, and blind judo—has significantly increased the nation’s participation. The excitement around these events was palpable, as athletes aimed to make history by competing in these disciplines for the first time.

In para-cycling, the Women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit qualifying round at 4:25 PM was a highlight, showcasing the speed and endurance of India’s para-cyclists. Similarly, para-archery saw Indian athletes competing in both the women’s and men’s individual compound and recurve open ranking rounds, scheduled for 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM, respectively. These events provided a platform for Indian archers to demonstrate their skills on the global stage.

India’s Paralympic Ambition: A Look Ahead

With a robust contingent and participation in multiple disciplines, India is poised to make a significant impact at the Paralympics 2024. The Day 1 results set the stage for what promises to be a thrilling and competitive journey. As the games progress, India’s para-athletes will be looking to build on their experiences and deliver performances that will make the nation proud.

In the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, India’s contingent of 54 athletes brought home a record haul of 19 medals, including five golds. With the increased number of participants and the inclusion of new sports, the expectations for Paris 2024 are even higher. The focus remains on providing the athletes with the best possible support, both on and off the field, to help them achieve their dreams.

As we look forward to the upcoming days of the Paralympics 2024, the performances on Day 1 have already given fans plenty to cheer about. Stay tuned for more updates as India’s para-athletes continue their quest for glory in Paris.

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