Day 2 in the Asian Para Games and the momentum continues. The Indians picked up 17 more medals. Their day’s haul was three gold, six silver and eight bronze medals.
Prachi Yadav in women’s canoe, Jeevanji Deepthi in men’s 400m and Neeraj Yadav in men’s discus won the gold medals. Jeevanji set an Asian Paralympic and Games record. In all, the Indian tally reads 34 medals — nine gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze.
Simran Vats bagged silver early in the morning in women’s 100m T-12 category, with a timing of 12.68. Simran said she owes this to her husband-cum-coach, Naik Gajendra Singh, an Indian Army officer. “I was nowhere and he made me capable of winning this,” she said.
Ekta Bhyan had missed out on a podium finish on Monday in discus throw, but won a bronze a day later in the women’s club throw F32/51 category. Her effort of 21.66m was better than the previous Games record but not good enough for gold.
Two medals came from 400m T-64. Jeevanji clocked 56.69 to add to India’s gold tally. Ajay Kumar, another army personnel, won the silver medal with a personal best of 54.85.
The 27-year-old Ravi Rongali from Vizag claimed silver in men’s shot put F-40 with a personal best of 9.92m. “This is my best medal,” said Ravi, finding it difficult to control his emotions. He had started as a para badminton player but didn’t make it to the elite level. This took him to athletics and at the National Games, he won gold in shot put.
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The 27-year-old para athlete from Vizag won the Asian Para Games silver medal with a personal best throw of 9.92m. “This is my best medal”, said the athlete with waves of emotion making it difficult to speak.
4 feet and 1 inch in height, Ravi competes in the Shot… pic.twitter.com/dlkWJBwobJ
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His journey to the Asian Para Games podium has not been smooth. Born in a humble family, he went through hardships. The family had to sell land to meet Ravi’s sporting requirements. “I dedicate this medal to my parents for all that they have done.”
Parmod and Rakesh Bhaira finished second and third in men’s 1500m T-46. With a personal best of 4.09.25, Parmod won the silver medal. Rakesh settled for a bronze with a season’s best of 4.11.09.
In men’s discus F54/55/56 finals, three Indians finished on the podium. Neeraj set a Games record with his effort of 38.56 and won the gold. Yogesh Kathuniya had to settle for silver with 42.13 in a higher category. This event had three categories clubbed together and score adjustments were made according to the Raza Scaling System. Muthuraja bagged bronze with 35.06.
Three medals came from the Fuyang Water Sports Centre. Prachi upgraded her silver to a gold medal, this time in women’s KL2 canoe. She clocked 54.962 to bag her second medal in Hangzhou.
Kaurav Manish and Gajendra Singh both won bronze medals in their categories. In men’s KL3 canoe, Manish finished clocked 44.605 and Gajendra 1.01.084 in men’s VL2.
The shooters bagged three medals. Rudransh Khandelwal in men’s 10m air pistol SH1 won silver with 238.3 points. Manish Narwal, brother of Asian Games gold medallist Shiva Narwal, won bronze in the same category. His score was 217.3.
With another 17-medal haul, the Indian contingent has taken a big step towards the goal of reaching three figures. More medals are expected on Wednesday, in athletics, judo and powerlifting among other disciplines.