Paris Paralympics: Navdeep Singh's heroics in men's javelin throw F41 class at Paris 2024 has etched India's name into the Paralympic history books. With a powerful throw of 47.32m, he not only secured a gold medal but also shattered the existing Paralympic record, making it India's maiden medal in this category.
Adding to India's medal tally, Simran Sharma's stellar performance in the women's 200m T12 event at Paris 2024 Paralympics earned her a well-deserved bronze medal. Her dedication and hard work have brought immense pride to the nation.
Navdeep's exceptional throw not only secured him a gold medal but also surpassed the previous Paralympic record of 47.13m, held by Sun Pengxiang of China since the Tokyo 2020 Games. While Sadegh Beit Sayah of Iran momentarily took the lead with a throw of 47.64m in his final attempt, his victory was short-lived. A subsequent review revealed a violation of the rules regarding unsporting or improper conduct, resulting in his disqualification. This turn of events elevated Navdeep to the top of the podium, solidifying India's position at the forefront of the javelin throw F41 class.
Navdeep, a left-handed thrower, had two more chances to reclaim the lead but was unable to extend his throw further. However, with Sadegh Beit Sayah's disqualification, this became irrelevant. Sun Pengxiang, the reigning champion in this event, settled for a silver medal with a best throw of 44.72m. He had also secured the gold medal at the World Para Athletics earlier this year. Wildan Nukhailawi of Iraq earned the bronze medal with a throw of 40.46m.
The F41 sport class is designed for athletes of shorter stature.
Navdeep had previously finished fourth at both the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics and the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou last year. However, he made a significant breakthrough in 2024, winning a bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championships. This marks India's 29th medal at the ongoing Paralympics and the 17th in para athletics.
India's Simran shines bright with coveted bronze at Paralympics
Simran's exceptional performance in the women's 200m T12 event at Paris 2024 Paralympics resulted in a well-deserved bronze medal. She set a new personal best timing of 24.75s, showcasing her exceptional talent and determination. The gold medal went to Cuba's Omara Durand Elias, who clocked an impressive time of 23.62s. Venezuela's Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez secured the silver medal with a timing of 24.19s. T12 is the classification for athletes with visual impairment, demonstrating Simran's remarkable achievement in overcoming her visual challenges and achieving a podium finish.
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