Harvinder Singh Secures Historic Gold Medal for India in Para Archery at Paris Paralympics 2024
In a momentous achievement for Indian sports, Harvinder Singh has clinched the nation’s first-ever gold medal in para archery at the Paris Paralympics 2024. This landmark victory occurred on Wednesday as Harvinder triumphed over Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek with a dominant score of 6-0, comprising sets of 28-24, 28-27, and 29-25, thereby securing his position in history as India’s first gold medalist in this category at the Paralympic Games.
Harvinder Singh’s journey to this gold medal was nothing short of remarkable. Prior to reaching the finals, he showcased exceptional skill and determination in the semifinals, coming back from a deficit to defeat Iran’s Mohammad Reza Arab Ameri with a score of 7-3. This win added to his impressive track record, as he previously made history by securing a bronze medal in the same category during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, establishing himself as the inaugural Indian archer to earn a place on the podium at this international event.
In the current edition of the games, India has now garnered its second medal in archery, following the bronze awarded to Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar in the mixed team compound open event. Harvinder’s victory contributes to India’s overall medal tally, which has reached twenty-two, including four gold, eight silver, and ten bronze medals, marking the nation’s best-ever performance at a single Paralympic Games, surpassing the previous record of nineteen medals achieved in Tokyo.
It is noteworthy that Harvinder began his competition in the knockout stages after finishing ninth in the ranking round. His path to the final included victories against competitors from Chinese Taipei and Indonesia, demonstrating his consistent performance throughout the event. Harvinder then faced Colombia’s Hector Julio Ramirez in the quarterfinals, where he maintained his composure to win by a score of 6-2.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Harvinder’s story is one of resilience. Hailing from a small village in Haryana, he faced significant health challenges early in life, having contracted dengue fever at a very young age, which led to difficulties in mobility. However, inspired by witnessing other archers practice in 2010 and motivated by the performances at the London Paralympics in 2012, he persevered to embrace archery as his sport. His first significant recognition came with a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta, achieved just weeks after the death of his mother.
After this extraordinary achievement, Harvinder Singh is scheduled to compete again in the mixed team recurve open event alongside his teammate, Pooja, on Thursday. The anticipation surrounding his participation further underscores the potential for continued success for the Indian archery team in the ongoing Paralympic Games.
In conclusion, Harvinder Singh’s historic gold medal not only represents a personal triumph but also serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the power of resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles. His ongoing success amplifies India’s prominence in para sports on the global stage.
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