Paris Paralympics 2024 Day 9: Day 9 of the Paris Paralympics 2024 proved to be a milestone for India, with significant achievements in athletics. The day showcased the resilience and determination of athletes who overcame personal challenges to achieve global recognition.
Hokato Hotozhe Sema’s Journey to Bronze
Hokato Hotozhe Sema, a landmine-blast survivor from India, delivered a stellar performance in the Men’s Shot Put F57 category, winning bronze with a personal best throw of 14.65 meters.
The 40-year-old para-athlete from Dimapur started his competition with a modest throw of 13.88 meters. But he quickly found his rhythm, throwing over 14 meters on his second attempt. His fourth throw of 14.65 meters secured him the bronze medal, surpassing his previous best of 14.49 meters. This medal marks a significant achievement in Sema’s career, having already won bronze at the Hangzhou Para Games in 2023.
Praveen Kumar Smashes Asian Record in High Jump
Earlier in the day, Praveen Kumar, a 21-year-old from Noida, set a new Asian record in the Men’s High Jump T64 event, taking home the gold medal. Kumar, born with a shorter leg, produced a season-best jump of 2.08 meters in a six-jumper field to claim victory.
Praveen’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. He had won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics and, despite a groin injury three months ago, overcame the odds to clinch his first Paralympic gold. In this event, USA’s Derek Loccident won the silver with a jump of 2.06 meters, while Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov finished third with a personal best of 2.03 meters.
T64 and T44 Categories Explained
For those unfamiliar with Paralympic classifications, T64 is for athletes with moderate movement impairments in one lower leg or those with the absence of one or both legs below the knee. Meanwhile, T44, under which Praveen competes, includes athletes with low or moderate impairment in one lower leg. These classifications ensure that athletes compete on a level playing field, taking into account their specific physical conditions. Read more Praveen Kumar Strikes Gold in T64 High Jump at 2024 Paralympic
India’s Medal Haul Grows
India’s overall medal tally at the Paris Paralympics continues to climb, with six golds, nine silvers, and twelve bronze medals. The standout athletes contributing to this impressive tally include:
- Avani Lekhara – Gold in Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1
- Nitesh Kumar – Gold in Men’s Singles SL3 (Badminton)
- Sumit Antil – Gold in Men’s Javelin Throw F64
- Harvinder Singh – Gold in Men’s Individual Recurve Open (Archery)
- Dharambir – Gold in Men’s Club Throw F51
India’s six gold medals have already surpassed the five won at the Tokyo Paralympics.
A Look at Other Standout Performances
Several other Indian athletes were in action on Day 9. In the Women’s Javelin Throw F46 Final, Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary finished fifth with her personal best throw of 39.70 meters. This was a significant improvement from her earlier attempts, and she was just shy of the podium.
In the powerlifting event, Kasthuri Rajamani competed in the Women’s up to 67kg category, finishing eighth with her best lift of 106 kilograms. Although she struggled with her final lift of 110 kilograms, her performance was commendable.
Looking Ahead: Day 10 Preview
As the Paralympics enter Day 10, Indian athletes will continue their quest for glory. Key events to watch out for include:
- Bhavanaben Ajabaji Chaudhary in the Women’s Javelin Throw F46 Final
- Simran in the Women’s 200m T12 Semifinals
- Soman Rana and Hokato Hotozhe Sema in the Men’s Shot Put F57 Final
India’s incredible performance at the Paris Paralympics is a testament to the resilience, hard work, and dedication of its athletes. As they continue to break records and bring home medals, the entire nation stands behind them in support and admiration.
