Who are the top-ranked Indians heading to the 2024 Paralympics?

The Paris Paralympics is almost upon us and the Indian contingent this time is the largest in its history at the games with 84 para-athletes.

At the Tokyo Paralympics, India returned with 19 medals, its largest medal haul. And thanks to their five gold medals, the contingent had their best-ever finish as well - 24th on the table.

Going into Paris, the aspirations are undoubtedly for India to overhaul its Tokyo tally and aiding that cause will be the presence of several noteworthy para-athletes that head into their respective events as the top-ranked and the top-seeded para-athlete.

Here's a list of all Indians that are ranked world no.1 in their respective categories.

Para Badminton

Para-Badminton debuted at the Tokyo Paralympics, and it has as many as six categories based on impairment to ensure fair competition.

There are two Indian men and women that are top-ranked in their respective categories at the Paris Paralympics.

Nithesh Kumar is a two-time world championships medalist, winning the silver in 2022 and bronze in 2024.

Suhas Yathiraj is the reigning world champion and won silver at the Tokyo Paralympics.

• Kumar Nitesh: Men's singles SL 3 (standing/lower limb impairment/severe)
• Suhas Yathiraj: Men's singles SL 4 (standing/lower limb impairment/minor)
• Thulasimathi Murugesan: Women's singles SU 5 (standing/upper limb impairment)
• Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan: Women's singles SH 6 (standing/short stature)

Thulasimathi is an Asian Para Games Champion herself. Meanwhile, Nithya Sre won back-to-back bronze medals at the 2022 and 2024 World Championships.

Para Athletics

Three Indian men and two Indian women in para-athletes go into the Paralympics as the top-rated players in their respective disciplines.

Sachin Khilari is the two-time reigning world champion in shot put and will be a force to reckon with in Paris.

Sumit Antil too, is a strong favorite, with him being the reigning World and Paralympic champion. Pranav Soorma is an Asian Para Games Champion in men's club throw.

Simran Sharma and Deepthi Jeevanji are both reigning world champions in their respective disciplines and come into the Paris Paralympics as one of the contenders.

• Sachin Sarjerao Khilari: Men's shot put F46 (single below or above the elbow amputation)
• Sumit Antil: Men's javelin throw F64 (moderately affected movement in one or both legs or the absence of limbs)
• Pranav Soorma: Men's club throw F51 (most significant impairment in hand function)
• Simran Sharma: Women's 200m T12 (visual impairment)
• Deepthi Jeevanji: Women's 400m T20 (athletes with intellectual disabilities).

Para Archery

There are two Indian individuals that are ranked world no.1 in their respective categories, as well as in one team category.

Team India, ranked no.1 in the world in the mixed team compound category, will head to Paris as the reigning world champions.

Rakesh Kumar is a force to be reckoned with, winning three medals at the Asian Para Games and two in the 2024 World Cup circuit.

Sheetal Devi comes into the Paris Paralympics having won silver in the world championships and gold at the Asia Para Games.

• Team India: Mixed team compound
• Rakesh Kumar: Men's individual compound
• Sheetal Devi: Women's individual compound

Blind Judo

Blind Judo is competed in two different categories, J1 and J2 (blind or partially sighted) and both incidentally, have their own set of weight classes as well. India's Kapil Parmar is ranked world no.1 in the J1 60kg category.

He is the 2023 IBSA Judo Grand Prix Champion, as well as a Commonwealth Games champion and silver medalist at the Asian Para Games.

• Kapil Parmar: Men's 60kg J1 (blind or partially sighted).