'Remarkable Achievement': PM Modi Congratulates Athelets On Winning Medals At Paris Paralympics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated athletes Avani Lekhara for securing gold medal and Mona Agarwal and Preeti Pal for securing bronze medals in shooting and race events at ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024.

While congratulating Lekhara, who won gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event, PM Modi said that her dedication has continued to make India proud.

“India opens its medal account in the #Paralympics2024! Congratulations to @AvaniLekhara for winning the coveted Gold in the R2 Women 10M Air Rifle SH1 event. She also creates history as she is the 1st Indian woman athlete to win 3 Paralympic medals! Her dedication continues to make India proud,” he said on X.

This became her second medal at the quadrennial event after she created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win gold at the Paralympics in 2020. She finished stage 1 with a total of 103.7 points across two rounds. She picked up the pace in the second stage, to get back in contention along with fellow compatriot Mona Agarwal. The latter was in the third spot.

The prime minister also congratulated Mona Agarwal for securing a bronze medal R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event. “Congratulations to Mona Agarwal on winning the Bronze medal in R2 Women 10m Air Rifle SH1 event at the Paris #Paralympics2024! Her remarkable achievement reflects her dedication and quest for excellence. India is proud of Mona!” he said.

South Korea’s Yunri Lee clinched the silver medal, finishing in second place with a score of 246.8 points. Mona, with a t otal score of 228.7 points, ended in third place to secure the bronze medal for India.

PM Modi also congratulated Preeti Pal, who won a bronze medal in women’s 100m T35 race event. “More glory for India as Preeti Pal wins a Bronze medal in the 100m T35 event at the #Paralympics2024. Congratulations to her. This success will certainly motivate budding athletes,” he said.

The T35 classification is for athletes with coordination impairments, including conditions such as hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, and cerebral palsy.

The prime minister also hailed athlete Manish Narwal, who won silver medal in the P1 Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 event on Friday.

“A splendid achievement by Manish Narwal, as he wins the Silver in the P1 Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 event. His precision, focus and dedication have once again brought glory. #Cheer4Bharat,” he said.

Narwal stood second to Korea’s Jeongdu Jo, while Yang Chao of China finished third to secure a bronze. Narwal’s silver was India’s fourth medal at the Paris Paralympics.

India has sent its largest contingent to the Paralympic Games, with 84 athletes — 52 men and 32 women — taking part in Paris Paralympics.