The Paralympics will begin on August 28.© Twitter
India will participate in para cycling, para rowing and blind judo at the Paralympics, with the three new events taking the country’s presence to 12 sports at the competition that begins in Paris on August 28. The Indian Paralympic Committee made the announcement on Wednesday, saying it “showcases the growing diversity and talent of India’s Paralympic athletes”. Arshad Sheikh of Andhra Pradesh will make his Paralympic debut in para cycling. He had secured his quota by winning a silver medal in the men’s elite individual time trial C2 category at the Asian Road Para Cycling Championships.
Arshad also won a gold medal in the C2 15km scratch final at the Asian Track Cycling Championships.
Kongannapalle Narayan from Andhra Pradesh will represent India in para rowing. Narayan, a former Indian Army jawan, lost his left leg below the knee due to a landmine blast in Jammu and Kashmir.
He won a silver medal in the PR3 mixed double sculls with Anitha at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.
Kokila Kaushiklate, a visually impaired para athlete from Haryana, will participate in visually impaired judo. Kokila had secured her quota by winning a bronze medal in the Judo women’s 48kg J2 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Guangzhou, China.
She also won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Judo Championships in 2019.
“The addition of three new sports to our Paralympic roster reflects the growing depth and talent within our Paralympic community,” said PCI President Devendra Jhajharia.
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