Indian Paralympian shooter Manish Narwal has added another illustrious achievement to his sporting career by securing a silver medal in the men’s 10m air pistol event at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Narwal delivered an exceptional performance, finishing with a score of 234.9 points, further solidifying his reputation as one of India’s premier shooters.
Expressing her immense pride, Narwal’s mother, Santosh, shared her joy with the nation, stating, “I am feeling very happy and proud as my son has won a medal for the country.” Her words reflect the overwhelming pride and happiness that comes with witnessing a child’s success on such a prestigious platform.
Narwal’s father, Dilbagh, also expressed his heartfelt sentiments, acknowledging the collective support and prayers that played a crucial role in his son’s success. “I extend best wishes to everyone. He was able to win a medal due to the prayers of the entire nation. I am feeling very happy and proud,” he said, emphasizing the importance of encouragement from millions of Indians.
The competition was intense, with Narwal starting strong but facing a challenging moment mid-match when he dropped to sixth place. However, his determination and resilience saw him fight back to finish in second place. South Korea’s Jeongdu Jo clinched the gold medal with 237.4 points, while China’s Chao Yang secured the bronze with 214.3 points.
Earlier in the day, India’s Avani Lekhara struck gold in the women’s 10m air rifle final, continuing her impressive streak at the Paralympics. Shooter Mona Agarwal also brought home a bronze medal in the same event. Additionally, para sprinter Preethi Pal won a bronze medal in the women’s T35 100m race, contributing to India’s growing medal tally at the Paris Paralympics.
India has made a remarkable start at the Paris Paralympics, with its athletes showing incredible focus and determination. This year, India has sent its largest-ever Paralympic contingent, consisting of 84 athletes across 12 sports, a testament to the country’s expanding para-sports ecosystem.
The Paris 2024 Paralympics mark a significant milestone for India, not just in terms of participation numbers but also in medal aspirations. With hopes high, India aims to surpass its previous successes at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where the country won a record-breaking 19 medals, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes.