India is again set to make world records and bring gold for the country at Tokyo summer Paralympics 2021. The event is about to start with an opening ceremony held on Tuesday, 24th August 2021. For the first time, more than 50 Para athletes will participate in the event and around 5 will become the flag bearers.
Here is a full list of events, dates, and top athletes who will be India’s hope for medals at Tokyo.
Paralympics 2021 Dates And Events Schedule
16th Summer Paralympics will begin from 24th August and continue till 5th September 2021 in Tokyo. 160 countries will take part in the event and with around 4,400 athletes vying for gold. India has sent its largest contingent of 54 Para athletes who will perform in 9 events scheduling from 27th August- 4th September.
Tuesday will mark the beginning of the event with an opening ceremony attended by only 5 Indian athletes including gold medalist Mariyappan Thangavelu. Four other names are powerlifter Sakina Khatun, Jaideep Deswal, Vinod Kumar (discus thrower), and Tek Chand (javelin thrower).
The event will start with table tennis where Sonalben and Bhavina Patel from India will take part in wheelchair class 3 &4 category respectively. It is scheduled for Wednesday, 25th August. Apart from these two, all eyes will be on these 6 top contenders from India.
Tokyo Summer Paralympics 2021: Know The Top Contenders At Event
Devendra Jhajharia
via:paralympic.org
Two-time Paralympic gold medalist and a world record holder, Devendra is hoping to make a hat-trick at the event. Rio Olympics was the first game where Devendra made a world record with the highest score of 63.97m. However, his best throw was at a qualifying match for the Tokyo event breaking his record and setting a throw of 65.71m in height.
Mariyappan Thangavelu
via:insidesport
The 26-year old high jumper from Tamil Nadu, Mariyappan will compete for his second gold medal after the 2016 Rio Olympics. He is also bestowed with 2 prestigious sports awards- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna and Arjuna award.
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Pramod Bhagat
via:thebridge
World number 1 and 4-time gold medalist, Pramod bhagat will take part in men’s singles and doubles events. His partner at mixed doubles will be gold medalist Palak Kholi.
Avani Lekhara
via:thebridge
Besides Rubina Francis, India is expecting a medal from world number 5 Avani Lekhara. This is her first Olympic event.
Aruna Tanwar
via:hindustantimes
The 21-year old, Aruna Singh Tanwar is raising the country’s hope to get the first medal in taekwondo as she is the first to qualify for the game. She has already won several medals at the Asian and world championship.
Prachi Yadav
via:internationalcanoefederation
Another rare sport in which India is participating in Paralympics 2021 is paraconoeing. Prachi Yadav from Gwalior is the entry to this mega event as she is the first to qualify. Her height and strong arms are the biggest strengths of the game.
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India made its debut at Paralympics in 1968 and participated 11 times with a break from 1976-1980. So far, the country has won a total of 12 medals including 4 gold, silver, and bronze. Tokyo summer Paralympics 2021 is another chance for the country to increase its medal tally.