India notch historic top ten finish at Para Asian Games

Indian paralympic athletes at the Para Asian Games beat their Asian Games counterparts (69 medals) to bag a total of 72 medals which included 15 golds, 24 silver and 32 bronze medals to end their campaign at their best ever ranking of ninth position in the medals tally. 

On the other hand, heavyweights in sports, China played at a different league finishing the event with a total of 172 gold medals 88 silver and 59 bronze with South Korea coming a distant second with 53 gold, 25 silver and 47 bronze on the medals table.

On the final day of the eight-day event, Indian shuttlers bagged two gold medals. Pramod Bhagat defeated Ukun Rukaendi of Indonesia 21-19 15-21 21-14 to take the gold medal in the SL3 category. SL3 category can have players with impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking or running balance. Athletes with cerebral palsy, bilateral polio or loss of both legs below the knee compete in half-court (lengthwise) to account for their impairment.

Tarun was another shuttler to win the gold medal beating Yuyang Gao of China 21-16 21-6 in the men’s singles SL4 class which has players with impairment in one or both lower limbs, unilateral polio or mild cerebral palsy fall in SL4 category.

On Friday another gold was picked by the Indian Para shuttlers with Parul Parmar snatching a 21-9 21-5 victory against Wandee Kamtam of Thailand in the women’s singles SL3 event. This category has participants have impairment in one or both lower limbs and poor walking/running balance but they play in standing positions.

K Jennitha Anto picked the gold in women’s individual rapid P1 chess event after beating Manurung Roslinda of Indonesia 1-0 in the final round, whereas Kishan Gangolli beat Majid Bagheri in the men’s individual rapid VI - B2/B3 event to claim the top spot. Rapid P1 event is for physically impaired athletes while rapid VI - B2/B3 event features partially blind competitors.