Paris: Indian shooter Manish Narwal clinched a silver medal in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, pushing India’s medal count to four on a remarkable day for the nation. The 23-year-old shooter displayed grit and resilience, marking his name as the sixth Indian athlete to win multiple medals in Summer Paralympic Games history.
Narwal, who previously struck gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, recorded a total score of 234.9 points to finish second at Chateauroux. His impressive comeback in the finals was one of the highlights of the day, despite a challenging start.
The gold medal went to South Korea’s Jeongdu Jo, who finished with a near-perfect score of 237.4. China’s Chao Yang secured the bronze medal. Narwal’s journey in the final was filled with dramatic moments, particularly during the early stages when he stumbled with a score of 8.8 on his first attempt. However, the seasoned shooter quickly recovered, showcasing his class and determination.
In a nail-biting showdown for the gold, Narwal posted a 9.9 in his final attempt, while Jeongdu Jo managed an 8.8. Although Narwal outperformed in the last attempt, his earlier struggles kept him just shy of the top spot.
Earlier in the day, India’s medal haul began with Avani Lekhara winning gold and Mona Agarwal securing bronze in the women’s 10m air rifle event. Sprinter Preeti Pal Wins Bronze In Women’s T35 100m At Paris Paralympics. These victories set the tone for a successful day for the Indian contingent at the 17th Summer Paralympic Games.
Narwal’s silver medal significantly improved India’s standing in the medal tally, propelling the country into the top 10. India now ranks 9th with four medals, surpassing strong competitors like Japan and South Korea. As the games progress, India aims for a historic top-10 finish in Paris.
As of the latest standings, China leads the medal table with 11 medals, followed by Great Britain with 6, and Italy in third place with 9. Other nations in the top 10 include Brazil, Colombia, the Netherlands, Uzbekistan, France, Australia, and Japan.
Narwal’s silver continues to inspire as India’s Paralympians strive for more glory in Paris.