Krishna Nagar
Tokyo: Shutler Krishna Nagar signed off in style with a gold medal for India on the concluding day of the Paralympics Games here. Suhas Yathiraj, who also happens to be the District Magistrate of Noida, won the silver medal in Badminton.
It had been a remarkable run for India during the Games, where the country had sent its largest ever contingent and the Paralympians did not disappoint either as 17 of the 54 who participated, won medals for the country. India won an unparalleled 19 medals, that included five gold, eight silver and six bronze medalsto clinch the 24th position in the list — the highest ever.
Consider that before the Tokyo Paralympics, India’s overall Games haul was a mere 12 medals!
Tokyo will also be special for two athletes, shooters Avani Lekhara and Singhraj Adana, who finished on podium twice. While 19-year-old Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in 10m air rifle and then to finish with a bronze in 50m rifle 3, 39-year-old Adana won bronze in 10m air pistol and then silver in 50m pistol.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said that in the history of Indian sports, the Tokyo Paralympics will always have a special place. He said: “Every member of our contingent is a champion and source of inspiration.”
The Prime Minister appreciated the coaches, support staff and families of our athletes for their constant support to the players. He also lauded the people of Japan, particularly Tokyo and the Japanese Government for their exceptional hospitality, eye for detail and spreading the much needed message of resilience and togetherness through these Olympics.
In a series of tweets, the Prime Minister said;
“In the history of Indian sports, the Tokyo #Paralympics will always have a special place. The games will remain etched in the memory of every Indian and will motivate generations of athletes to pursue sports. Every member of our contingent is a champion and source of inspiration.
The historic number of medals India won has filled our hearts with joy. I would like to appreciate the coaches, support staff and families of our athletes for their constant support to the players. We hope to build on our successes to ensure greater participation in sports.
Like I had said earlier, the people of Japan, particularly Tokyo and the Japanese Government, must be lauded for their exceptional hospitality, eye for detail and spreading the much needed message of resilience and togetherness through these Olympics.”
– global bihari bureau
