New Delhi, Aug 24 (PTI) Para sports has undergone a sea change in terms of perception and support in the last two decades, and these changes together with continuous backing to athletes can power India to 50 medals in the 2036 edition, reckons the legendary Devendra Jhajharia.
From winning just one Paralympics gold 20 years ago to clinching five yellow metals in 2021, para sports in India has come a long way.
India are bidding for the 2036 Olympics and Paralympic Games, and Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) President Jhajharia is upbeat that by then India will have the potential to break into top-10 in the medal tally.
Jhajharia, the most decorated Paralympian of the country, won his first Paralympics gold in the 2004 Athens edition in F46 javelin throw event. He added another gold in Rio 2016 and a silver in Tokyo in 2021.
The F46 classification is for athletes with arm deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement in arms.
“We won 19 medals in Tokyo, now we have a target of 25 in Paris. In 2028 Los Angeles, we can aim for more than 30 medals and 40 plus in 2032. And by 2036, when hopefully India hosts Paralympics, we can win 50 medals and be in top-10,” the 43-year-old Jhajharia told
Source: PTI News
