India celebrated another successful day at the Asian Para Games, clinching 17 medals on the second day of competition, matching the previous day's achievement. This impressive performance brings India's total medal count to 34.
Prachi Yadav, a 28-year-old athlete who is paralyzed from the waist down, made history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in para canoeing. She secured the gold in the women's canoe KL2 event, covering the 500m distance in 54.962 seconds. The KL2 category is designed for athletes who use their arms and have partial trunk and leg function to propel themselves.
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In an extraordinary show of partnership, Prachi's husband, Manish Kaurav, also claimed a bronze medal in the men's canoe KL3 event. Manish credited his success to Prachi's motivation and support, emphasizing that she was his driving force.
Neeraj Yadav achieved a remarkable feat in the men's F54/55/56 discus throw, setting a new Games and Asian record with a throw of 38.56 meters. His gold medal marked a podium sweep for Indian athletes in this event, with Yogesh Kathunia and Muthuraja securing silver and bronze, respectively. Neeraj, who has dealt with polio since birth, transitioned to discus throw only in 2020.
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India continued to excel in various events, with Deepthi Jeevanji clinching gold in the women's T20 400m race, setting a Games and Asian record with a time of 56.69 seconds. In the Men's 1500m T46 Final, Pramod and Rakesh Bhaira secured silver and bronze, contributing to India's impressive medal haul.
In para shooting, Rudransh Khandelwal and Manish Narwal won silver and bronze in the P1 men's 10m air pistol SH1 event, while Rubina Francis claimed a bronze in the P2 women's 10m air pistol SH1 category.
Indian athletes also collected bronze medals in powerlifting, canoeing, and club throw events.
India is represented by 313 athletes at the Hangzhou Para Asian Games, marking the largest-ever Indian delegation to this event. The Indian contingent is competing in 17 out of the 22 sports, with athletes participating in rowing, canoeing, lawn bowls, taekwondo, and blind football for the first time.
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