Paralympics Over The Years: Meet The Indian Women Medal Winners

Indian women para-athletes have made an indelible mark in the sports landscape, showcasing their remarkable athletic prowess, determination, and hard work on the global stage. From breaking gender barriers to overcoming physical disabilities, their medals are a poignant reminder of what's possible in sports. The Summer Paralympics 2024 is scheduled to take place in Paris from August 28 to September 8. Meet the women Paralympians who have brought glory to India at the previous Games.

Avani Lekhara: Tokyo 2020 

Rifle shooter Avani Lekhara is one of India's most distinguished athletes, having won two medals, including the first-ever gold for India at the Tokyo 2020 Para Games. The 22-year-old placed first in the 10m air rifle SH1 and then secured a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions SH1. She is the first Indian woman to win multiple medals in the Paralympics. Lekhara has also won two gold medals and a silver medal at para shooting World Cup events in 2022.

The athlete from Rajasthan started her journey in rifle shooting in 2015, inspired by Olympic champion Abhinav Bindra. When she was 11 years old (2012), she met with a life-altering road accident which left her with complete paraplegia. Upon the encouragement of her father, she joined sports, initially trying archery until she found her calling in rifle shooting.

The top athlete was ranked World No.1 in 2023, according to the Women's 10m Air Rifle standing SH1 (World Shooting Para Sport Rankings). Apart from sports, Lekhara is also pursuing a law degree from  Rajasthan University. She has been honoured with the Khel Ratna Award, Arjuna Award, and Padma Shri. The trailblazing shooter is now aiming for another taste of victory at the Paris Para Games.

Deepa Malik: Rio 2016

Deepa Malik etched her name in history as the first woman Paralympic medallist in India when she won a silver medal in the shot put at the Rio Games 2016. Aged 45, she was also the oldest athlete in the Indian contingent. Malik has earned laurels in multiple sports including swimming, javelin throw and motorsports. She has been ranked World No. 1 in the F-53 category in javelin, according to World Para Athletics.

Malik was 29 years old when she was diagnosed with a spinal tumour. After undergoing three surgeries and 183 stitches, she was left paralysed from the waist down. Doctors said that she would be unable to walk. She underwent physiotherapy for nearly six years and found an interest in sports during this journey. She started with swimming and achieved a glorious milestone of swimming across the River Yamuna.

In motorsports, Malik joined the Himalayan Motorsports Association and conquered an 8-day 1,700 km bike ride to 18,000 feet in sub-zero temperatures. She is also a member of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (F.M.S.C.I.) Malik has won a plethora of medals and titles in numerous sporting events, showing her unstoppable spirit to pose a tough challenge to any obstacle in her way.

Malik has been associated with the Indian Sports Ministry and Housing Ministry to help formulate accessible and disability-inclusive plans and infrastructure. She was elected as President of the Paralympic Committee of India in 2020. The athlete has been honoured with the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, President Role Model Award, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, and more. 

Bhavina Patel: Tokyo 2020

Bhavina Hasmukhbhai Patel of Gujarat is a table tennis champion who won a silver medal for India in the Class 4 category at the Tokyo Para Games 2020. The remarkable athlete has been ranked among the top three para table tennis athletes in the world. She won a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the C3-5 category.

At the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, Patel won a bronze medal in the Singles C4 category. In 2011, she won a silver medal in the individual category at the 2011 PTT Thailand Open. She also won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Table Tennis Championships in 2017, held in Beijing, China. Patel was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 2021. Now, she is all set to make waves at the Paris Paralympics 2024.