Joining Avani on the podium was debutant Mona Agarwal, who secured a bronze in the same event, marking a historic double for India in shooting. Mona’s journey from facing polio-related challenges to becoming a World Cup gold medallist and now a Paralympic medalist is a testament to her resilience.
Manish Narwal, the gold medalist from the Tokyo Paralympics, added to India’s medal tally by winning silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 event. Although he fell short of gold, Manish’s performance showcased his determination, especially after the personal loss of his brother, Manjeet Singh.
In athletics, Preethi Pal made history by winning India’s first track medal at these Paralympics, clinching bronze in the women’s T35 100m event with a personal best time of 14.21 seconds. Preethi’s journey from overcoming significant physical challenges to reaching the Paralympic podium underscores her incredible perseverance.
These early successes have set a promising tone for India’s Paralympic campaign, highlighting the athletes’ relentless dedication and the support from their coaches and the Paralympic Committee of India.