Asian Para Games 2023: India's athletes create history with 80 medals, PM Modi shares congratulatory messages

livemint.com:

Asian Para Games 2023: Indian para-athletes created history on Thursday as they surpassed previous records to win 80 medals, including 18 gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games 2023. Earlier, India's best performance was witnessed during the 2018 edition of the Asian Para Games in Indonesia, where Indian para-athletes won 72 medals. With two more days remaining in the conclusion of the Asian Para Games 2023, it is highly likely that India might achieve the benchmark of 100 medals.

PM Modi congratulated the Indian para-athletes on this wonderful feat. Currently, India's medal tally includes 18 gold, 23 silver, and 39 bronze medals. The number of medals is expected to increase in the upcoming two days as Indian para-athletes continue to perform well.

Sachin Sarjerao Khilari achieved a historic feat by clinching the inaugural gold medal of the day in the men's F46 shot put event, setting a new Games record with a remarkable throw of 16.03 meters. Meanwhile, Rohit Kumar secured the bronze medal with a distance of 14.56 meters. Para shooter Sidhartha Babu continued the gold-winning spree by claiming the top spot in the R6 mixed 50m rifle-prone SH1 event, achieving an outstanding score of 247.7, which set a new benchmark in the Asian Para Games.

“Congratulations to our Para Shooter @sid6666 for the dazzling performance in Mixed 50m Rifles Prone SH-1 event! This Gold is a testament to his precision, focus, exceptional talent and relentless spirit. India is elated," PM Modi said in a tweet. In a thrilling showdown, the compound mixed team of Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar emerged victorious, securing the gold medal by narrowly defeating their Chinese opponents, Lin Yueshan and Ai Xinliang, with a final score of 151-149.