Day 3 of the 2024 Paris Paralympics brought excitement, anticipation, and some crucial moments for the Indian contingent, as they eyed podium finishes across various events including archery, badminton, and shooting. With the momentum carried forward from a successful Day 2, which saw India win four medals, the expectations were high for the athletes competing on Day 3. Indian para-athletes have continuously raised the bar at international events, and Day 3 was no different as they aimed to add more medals to the tally.
Archery: Close Battles in Compound Events
India’s campaign in archery was led by Sarita and Sheetal Devi in the women's compound open category. Sarita made it to the quarter-finals after a thrilling contest in the previous round, which saw her advancing with a strong performance. However, she faced a tough challenge in the quarter-finals against top-seeded Oznur Cure of Turkey. Despite her best efforts and a solid display of skill and composure, Sarita eventually bowed out after losing 140-145. It was a tightly contested match, and although Sarita’s precision was on point, Oznur’s consistency gave her the edge. Sarita’s performance, while commendable, left Indian fans hoping for more in the coming matches.
Sheetal Devi, who had also performed well in the earlier rounds, experienced a similar fate. Competing in the round of 16, she faced an intense match, only to lose narrowly with a score of 137-138. It was a disappointing exit for Sheetal, who had shown great promise throughout the competition. The tight margins in both of these matches reflect the fine lines between victory and defeat in Paralympic-level archery
Badminton: Mandeep Kaur Shines in a Comeback Victory
The day was also crucial for India’s para-badminton contingent, particularly Mandeep Kaur, who delivered a thrilling comeback to secure her place in the quarter-finals. Competing in the SL3 group stage, Mandeep faced Céline Aurelie Vinot from Australia in a match that went down to the wire. Mandeep lost the first game 21-23 despite holding an early lead. However, she showed resilience and mental toughness to regroup and win the next two games 21-10, 21-17. Her ability to bounce back after a shaky start underscored her skill and fighting spirit.
Mandeep’s victory was crucial as it ensured her progression in the tournament and raised hopes for a potential medal in the later stages of the competition. She now faces tougher opponents in the quarter-finals, but her performance in this match showed that she has what it takes to challenge the best
Along with Mandeep, other Indian para-badminton players, such as Nitesh Kumar, were also in action, with matches scheduled in their respective group stages. Nitesh was aiming to carry forward the positive momentum of the Indian team as they look to build on the success of Day 2(Inside Sport India).
Shooting: Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar and Rubina Francis in Action
One of the most anticipated events for India on Day 3 was para-shooting, where the country had a real shot at adding to its medal tally. Swaroop Mahavir Unhalkar was competing in the SH1 men's 10m Air Rifle event. The qualification round saw Swaroop shoot 101.8 in the first series. The format required him to go through six series, with the top eight athletes progressing to the final. While Swaroop’s performance in the initial rounds looked promising, the competition was fierce. All eyes were on whether he could maintain his form and qualify for the final round, where the medals would be decided(India Today).
In the women’s 10m air pistol SH1 event, Rubina Francis delivered an impressive performance. Having qualified for the finals earlier in the day, Rubina showed nerves of steel and exceptional shooting precision, winning bronze in a tightly contested final. Rubina’s podium finish was a significant achievement, adding another medal to India’s tally and showcasing the depth of talent in India’s para-shooting squad. Her medal also signified India's continued success in shooting at the Paralympics, following in the footsteps of champions like Avani Lekhara(Scroll.in)(India Today).
Rubina's journey to the podium was not without challenges, but her focus and determination were evident throughout the competition. Her performance underscored India's growing strength in para-shooting and highlighted the athletes’ ability to compete at the highest levels of international sport.
Looking Back at Day 2: A Day of Success
The success of Indian para-athletes on Day 2 set the stage for a strong showing on Day 3. On Day 2, India's shooters led the charge with Avani Lekhara winning a gold medal to defend her Paralympic title in the women's 10m air rifle event. Manish Narwal secured a silver medal in men's 10m shooting, while Mona Agarwal added a bronze in the same event. Furthermore, India’s success extended beyond shooting, with Preethi Pal winning a bronze in the women’s 100m T35 final(Inside Sport India). These achievements set a positive tone for Day 3, with the Indian contingent aiming to build on their momentum.
Cycling and Other Events: More Medal Hopes for India
Beyond the main events in archery, badminton, and shooting, there were other events on Day 3 where India had medal prospects. In para-cycling, Arshad Shaik was competing in the men's C1-3 1000m time trial event. While it was not immediately clear whether he would progress to the finals, the anticipation was high, as India has been gradually making strides in para-cycling(India Today).
Another Indian cyclist, Jyoti Gaderiya, was set to compete in the women’s C1-3 500m Time Trial, with hopes of qualifying for the medal event. While cycling has not traditionally been a stronghold for India at the Paralympics, the athletes’ hard work and determination were evident as they aimed to make their mark.
Conclusion: A Day of High Expectations and Mixed Results
Day 3 of the 2024 Paris Paralympics was a day filled with mixed emotions for Indian sports fans. While there were some heartbreaking losses in archery, with Sarita and Sheetal Devi narrowly missing out on further progression, there were also moments of triumph, such as Mandeep Kaur’s thrilling comeback in badminton and Rubina Francis securing a bronze medal in shooting.
India’s para-athletes demonstrated resilience, skill, and determination, keeping the country's hopes alive for more success in the days to come. As the Paralympics progress, the Indian contingent will continue to strive for excellence, and the performances on Day 3 are a testament to the potential for even greater achievements(Scroll.in)(India Today).
