Asian Para Games: Shailesh Kumar wins gold, Mariyappan Thangavelu secures silver in High Jump-T63 event

Hangzhou [China]: India’s dominance in athletics at the ongoing Asian Para Games was showcased by Shailesh Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu, who clinched gold and silver medals, respectively, in the Men’s High Jump-T63 event on Monday.

Shailesh touched 1.82m to claim the gold medal, besting his national compatriot and Asian record holder in Men’s High Jump-T42, Mariyappan, by 0.2m. He settled for silver with his season-best attempt of 1.80m.

Earlier in the day, Prachi Yadav clinched a silver medal in canoeing in the women’s VL2 Final and opened India’s account. Prachi gave Uzbekistan’s Irodakhon Rustamova a run for her money as both athletes were separated by a timing of 1.022s.

Prachi secured a silver medal finish by clocking 1:03.47s while Irodakhon claimed the gold medal with a timing of 1:02.125s. Japan’s Saki Komatsu walked away with a bronze medal with a timing of 1:11.635s.

India will be hoping to surpass their best performance of 72 medals at the 2018 event in Indonesia, consisting of 15 gold, 24 silver and 33 bronze medals.

The historic performance by the Indian contingent of winning 107 medals at the just concluded Asian Games has fuelled the athletes, coaches and support staff with a belief that the 4th Asian Para Games will break many records and will be the most successful one in the history of Para Games in the country.