India’s Paralympic contingent for the Paris 2024 Games will be led by Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil and Asian Para Games silver medalist Bhagyashree Jadhav. The duo will carry the Indian flag during the opening ceremony of the Games, which are scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8.
The decision to appoint Antil and Jadhav as flag-bearers was made by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI). PCI chief Devendra Jhajharia, praising the athletes’ consistent performance, said, “Antil and Bhagyashree have been consistent performers over the years. They will be Indian flag-bearers at the Paris Paralympics’ athletes march past.”
Sumit Antil, a javelin thrower from Haryana, etched his name in history by winning gold at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020, setting a new world record of 68.55 meters in the F64 category. He followed this triumph with another gold at the World Para Championships in 2022 and broke his own world record at the Asian Para Games with a remarkable throw of 73.29m.
Bhagyashree Jadhav, a shot putter competing in the F34 category, secured a silver medal at the Asian Para Games. She is also a medalist at the FAZZA World Cup.
India is sending its largest-ever Paralympic contingent to Paris, with 84 athletes representing the nation in 12 different sports. The nation is aiming to surpass its impressive medal haul of 19 medals from the Tokyo Paralympics. With Antil and Jadhav leading the way, India will be looking to make its mark on the global stage at the Paris Paralympics.
