India at the Paralympics: A journey of triumphs and many firsts

The very first Paralympic Games were held in Rome, Italy in the year 1960 marking the start of a global movement for specially-abled athletes. However, India didn't participate in the first two Paralympics.

India first participated in the Paralympics in 1968 at the Tel Aviv Games.

Since then India have been a regular at the Paralympics.

Over the years, Indian para-athletes scripted many firsts at the Games.

Let us have a look at India's firsts at the Paralympics.

The First Indian Contingent at the Paralympics

India's Paralympic contingent made their debut in the 1968 Tel Aviv Paralympics with 10 para-athletes - 8 men and 2 women - participating in the event.

The First Medal

Muralikant Petkar etched his name in history by winning India's first Paralympic medal, a gold in swimming.

Padma Shri Muralikant won an individual gold medal in the 1972 Summer Paralympics, in Heidelberg, Germany. He set a world record in the 50 m freestyle swimming event, at 37.33 seconds. In the same Games, he participated in precision javelin throw and slalom.

A Bollywood movie has also been dedicated to his name called 'Chandu Champion' which has been recently released.

The First Multiple Medalist

In the 1984 New York Paralympics, Joginder Singh Bedi set the field on fire by winning three medals - 1 silver and 2 Bronze - in a single edition of the Paralympic Games.

Participating in the L6 category, Joginder clinched silver in the shot put and bronze in the javelin throw and discus throw events.

He still holds the record for most medals won by an Indian in a single edition of the Paralympics.

Devendra Jhajharia: The Paralympic GOAT

After a two-decade wait, Devendra Jhajharia brought home gold in athletics with a world record throw in the men's javelin F44/46 event in the 2004 Athens Paralympics.

Devendra Jhajaria is the most decorated Indian Paralympian ever, with two golds and a silver to his name. He won a gold and silver medal in the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Games.

The First Woman Medallist

Deepa Malik made history during the 2016 Rio Paralympics as she became the first Indian woman to win a Paralympic medal, securing silver in the shot put F53 event.

Malik is also a recipient of the highest sporting award in India, The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award.

Firsts at the Tokyo Paralympics

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics was a landmark event for India, with numerous records broken and firsts achieved.

Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win multiple Paralympic medals, securing gold in the R2- 10m Air Rifle SH1 and bronze in the R8-50m rifle 3 positions SH1 events.

Harvinder Singh made history as the first Indian to win an archery medal at the Paralympics, securing bronze in the Men's Recurve Individual event.

Para-badminton made its Paralympic debut, and India clinched two gold medals with Pramod Bhagat (SL-3) and Krishna Nagar (SH-6) emerging victorious.

Bhavina Patel secured India's first medal in table tennis by clinching a silver.

The 2024 Paris Paralympics will see India's largest-ever contingent with 84 athletes participating in 12 different sports, highlighting the nation's growing strength in Paralympic sports.