Paralympics 2024
Indian Para-Shooting squad at Paralympics 2024: Schedule, Medal chances
Here is all you need to know about the Indian para-shooting contingent for the Paris Paralympics 2024.
Para-shooting has been a regular part of the Paralympic Games, since its inclusion in the 1976 Games in Toronto, Canada. Paris Paralympics will be the 13th consecutive edition, having Para-shooting as a sport.
There is no change in the number of medal events from the previous edition in the roster and Paris will be offering medals across 13 different para-shooting events, just like the Tokyo Paralympics.
Sweden is the most successful country in this sport, having won 52 medals in total which included 24 gold medals. However, China is very closely following them with 22 gold medals while South Korea (21) is in the third position.
China also won the last three editions of para-shooting and will be the favorite again in Paris. Meanwhile, India has only five medals in this sport, all of which were won by the team in the last edition of the Tokyo Paralympics.
Medal Chances
Avani Lekhara: Avani became India's first female athlete to win a Paralympic gold medal after her triumph in the 10m air rifle SH1 category at the Tokyo Olympics. She will be again one of the favorites to win a medal for India.
Alongside her, India has another female rifle shooter, Mona Aggarwal who is in great form this year and will be eyeing for a medal in her debut Paralympic Games.
Manish Narwal: The second Indian gold medalist from Tokyo, Manish Narwal is also among the favorites to defend his medal for India. He is also a former world champion in the men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 category.
Rudranash Khandelwal: The 17-year-old, Rudransh, has shown consistency on the world circuit in the last two years and won multiple medals. He has also won the silver medal at the Asian Para Games.
Squad
Men: Rudransh Khandelwal, Manish Narwal, Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar, Sriharsha Ramakrishna Davaredd, Sidhartha Babu, Nihal Singh, Amir Ahmed Bhat
Women: Avani Lekhara, Mona Aggarwal, Rubina Francis
Schedule
30th August
12:30 PM: Women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 qualification - R2
2:45 PM: Men’s 10m air pistol SH1 qualification - P1
3:15 PM: Women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final - R2 - Medal Match
5:00 PM: Mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 qualification - R4
5:30 PM: Men’s 10m air pistol SH1 final - P1 - Medal Match
7:45 PM: Mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 final - R4 - Medal Match
31st August
1:00 PM: Men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 qualification - R1
3:30 PM: Women’s 10m air pistol SH1 qualification - P2
3:45 PM: Men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 final - R1 - Medal Match
6:15 PM: Women’s 10m air pistol SH1 final - P2 - Medal Match
1st September
1:00 PM: Mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1 qualification - R3
3:00 PM: Mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2 qualification - R5
4:30 PM: Mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1 final - R3 - Medal Match
6:30 PM: Mixed 10m air rifle prone SH2 final - R5 - Medal Match
2nd September
12:30 PM: Mixed 25m pistol SH1 qualification precision - P3
4:30 PM: Mixed 25m pistol SH1 qualification rapid - P3
8:15 PM: Mixed 25m pistol SH1 final - P3 - Medal Match
3rd September
1:00 PM: Women’s 50m air rifle 3 positions SH1 qualification - R8
1:00 PM: Men’s 50m air rifle 3 positions SH1 qualification - R7
5:15 PM: Men’s 50m air rifle 3 positions SH1 Final - R7 - Medal Match
7:30 PM: Women’s 50m air rifle 3 positions SH1 final - R8 - Medal Match
4th September
1:00 PM: Mixed 50m pistol SH1 qualification - P4
3:45 PM: Mixed 50m pistol SH1 final - P4 - Medal Match
5th September
1:00 PM: Mixed 50m rifle prone SH1 qualification - R6
3:15 PM: Mixed 50m rifle prone SH1 final - R6 - Medal Match
History of Indian Para-shooters at Paralympics
India didn't have a very rich history in Para-shooting before the Tokyo Paralympic Games, as before that, only one shooter, Naresh Sharma, represented India at the Paralympics.
He has been India's lone participant in the five-paralympic Games, starting from the 1996 Atlanta Games to the 2016 Rio Games. However, he couldn't find any Paralympic medal for India.
Before the Tokyo Paralympics, the Indian para-shooting contingent showed excellent improvement and earned 10 quotas for India. This resulted in India's first-ever medal in para-shooting.
India won an overall haul of five medals in Tokyo, including 2 gold medals from Avani Lekhara and Manish Narwal. Avani later added another medal to her tally, winning a bronze in 50 m rifle 3 positions SH1.
On the other hand, pistol shooter, Singhraj Adhana, clinched two medals from the games. He won a silver and a bronze in 50 m pistol SH1 and 10 m air pistol SH1 respectively.