Para Badminton Shines as Newcomers and Paralympic Medalists Dominate Khelo India Para Games
New delhi – The Khelo India Para Games witnessed stellar performances on Saturday, with debutants Alphia James and Mandeep Kaur striking gold in badminton, alongside dominant displays from Paralympic medalists in various disciplines.
Tamil Nadu Leads Medal Tally With Strong Challenge from Haryana
By the end of the third day,a total of 88 gold medals had been awarded across athletics,badminton,and shooting events. Tamil Nadu leads the medal standings with 19 gold medals, closely followed by Haryana with 14. rajasthan holds third place with 11 golds, while uttar Pradesh trails with 10.
Para Badminton Stars Emerge: James and Kaur Seize Gold
The spotlight was firmly on badminton at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, with India’s top para-badminton players showcasing their talent. While Paris gold medalist Nitesh Kumar, Tokyo gold medalist Krishna Nagar, Paris bronze medalist Manisha Ramdass, and 13-time national champion Sanjeev Kumar lived up to expectations by securing titles, it was alphia James of Kerala and Mandeep Kaur of Uttarakhand who stole the show with their gold-winning performances.
Alphia, a 21-year-old wheelchair user and B.Com student, overcame personal adversity to achieve her golden debut at the Khelo India Para Games. Having lost her father in 2010 and supported by her mother and brother, Alphia suffered a spinal cord injury in 2017, leading her to switch from basketball to para-badminton. She recently won an event in Spain.
Mandeep, a 29-year-old three-time arm-wrestling national champion, transitioned to badminton out of passion for the sport. After winning gold in her frist international tournament in uganda, she continued her successful run with gold at Khelo India Para Games.
“It’s a great feeling to win the gold, and I’m really thankful to SAI and the government for organising KIPG,” said Mandeep.”The key was to keep calm, and that’s what I did. I lost the first game and was trailing in the second at one stage, but I pushed myself to make a comeback and eventually win the game.”
Avani Lekhara extends Dominance in shooting
At the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Paris gold medalist Avani Lekhara continued her impressive form, securing the top position in the women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 category, narrowly defeating her Rajasthan teammate Mona Agarwal in the final. Aakansha from Uttar Pradesh completed the podium, earning a score of 221.5.
Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar and Kavin Vinod Kengnalkar from Maharashtra secured gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1, separated by a mere 0.1 points. Simran Sharma of Haryana clinched the gold in the mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 category.
Archery Eyes Finals as Paralympians Compete
At the Jawaharlal nehru Stadium, Paralympic bronze medalist Sheetal Devi and promising newcomer Payal Nag have both qualified for the archery finals. Sheetal, who competes without arms, and Payal, another inspirational athlete competing without arms and legs, are set to captivate audiences.
**How dose teh success of newcomers like Alphia James and Mandeep Kaur contribute to the overall message of inclusivity and empowerment in para-sports?**
Para badminton Shines as Newcomers and Paralympic Medalists Dominate Khelo India Para Games
New delhi – The Khelo India Para Games witnessed stellar performances on Saturday, with debutants alphia James and Mandeep Kaur striking gold in badminton, alongside dominant displays from Paralympic medalists in various disciplines.
Tamil Nadu Leads medal Tally With Strong Challenge from Haryana
By the end of the third day, a total of 88 gold medals had been awarded across athletics, badminton, and shooting events. Tamil Nadu leads the medal standings with 19 gold medals, closely followed by Haryana with 14. Rajasthan holds third place with 11 golds, while Uttar Pradesh trails with 10.
Para Badminton Stars Emerge: James and Kaur Seize Gold
The spotlight was firmly on badminton at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, with india’s top para-badminton players showcasing their talent. While Paris gold medalist Nitesh Kumar, Tokyo gold medalist Krishna Nagar, Paris bronze medalist Manisha Ramdass, and 13-time national champion Sanjeev Kumar lived up to expectations by securing titles, it was Alphia James of Kerala and Mandeep Kaur of Uttarakhand who stole the show with their gold-winning performances.
Alphia, a 21-year-old wheelchair user and B.Com student, overcame personal adversity to achieve her golden debut at the Khelo India Para Games. Having lost her father in 2010 and supported by her mother and brother, Alphia suffered a spinal cord injury in 2017, leading her to switch from basketball to para-badminton. She recently won an event in Spain.
Mandeep, a 29-year-old three-time arm-wrestling national champion, transitioned to badminton out of passion for the sport. After winning gold in her first international tournament in uganda, she continued her successful run with gold at Khelo India Para Games.
“It’s a great feeling to win the gold, and I’m really thankful to SAI and the government for organising KIPG,” said Mandeep. “The key was to keep calm, and that’s what I did. I lost the first game and was trailing in the second at one stage, but I pushed myself to make a comeback and eventually win the game.”
Avani Lekhara extends Dominance in shooting
At the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Paris gold medalist Avani Lekhara continued her extraordinary form, securing the top position in the women’s 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 category, narrowly defeating her Rajasthan teammate Mona Agarwal in the final. Aakansha from Uttar Pradesh completed the podium,earning a score of 221.5.
Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar and Kavin Vinod Kengnalkar from Maharashtra secured gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1, separated by a mere 0.1 points. Simran Sharma of Haryana clinched the gold in the mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 category.
Archery eyes finals as Paralympians compete
At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Paralympic bronze medalist Sheetal Devi and promising newcomer Payal Nag have both qualified for the archery finals. Sheetal, who competes without arms, and Payal, another inspirational athlete competing without arms and legs, are set to captivate audiences.
Q&A: Unveiling the Khelo India Para Games
What are the Khelo India Para Games?
The Khelo India Para Games are a multi-sport event organized by the Indian government to promote para-sports and provide a platform for athletes with disabilities to showcase their talent. This fosters inclusivity and celebrates the spirit of sportsmanship.
Who are some of the key athletes to watch?
Keep an eye on para-badminton stars like Alphia James and Mandeep Kaur, who made a striking debut. Also, follow Paralympic medalists like Avani Lekhara in shooting and Sheetal Devi in archery.
What is the significance of Tamil Nadu’s lead in the medal tally?
Tamil Nadu’s strong performance, leading the medal tally, showcases the state’s investment in para-sports infrastructure and athlete progress.It reflects the growing importance of para-sports in India.
How can I support para-athletes?
You can support para-athletes by following their journeys, attending para-sporting events, and advocating for increased accessibility and funding for para-sports programs. Share their stories to inspire others!
Interesting trivia:
- Mandeep Kaur, before taking up badminton, was a three-time national champion in arm wrestling. talk about versatility!
- Sheetal Devi, competing without arms, is a testament to the power of human determination and adaptability.
Witnessing the triumphs of athletes like Alphia, Mandeep, Avani and Sheetal at the Khelo India Para Games is truly inspiring. Let’s continue to celebrate their achievements and support the growth of para-sports in India.
