India continues its remarkable performance at the Paris Paralympics 2024, winning its 21st medal. On the 7th day of the games, Sachin Khilari brought pride to the nation by securing a silver medal in the men’s shot put F46 category. Sachin’s best throw of 16.32 meters not only earned him the silver medal but also set a new Asian record. He narrowly missed the gold medal by just 0.06 meters, which went to Canada’s Greg Stewart, who threw 16.38 meters.
Sachin Khilari’s Impressive Performance
Sachin Khilari, a 34-year-old athlete from Sangli district in Maharashtra, showcased his skills in the shot put final with a series of strong throws. His attempts were as follows:
- 1st attempt: 14.72 meters
- 2nd attempt: 16.32 meters (Asian record)
- 3rd attempt: 16.15 meters
- 4th attempt: 16.31 meters
- 5th attempt: 16.03 meters
- 6th attempt: 15.95 meters
Despite missing the gold by a small margin, Sachin’s performance was outstanding, making him the first Indian male shot putter in 30 years to win a Paralympic medal.
Sachin’s Journey
Sachin competes in the F46 category, which is for athletes with arm impairments, weak muscles, or limited movement. Sachin’s story of resilience began when he was just nine years old. He was injured in a bicycle accident, which led to a fractured left hand. Despite this setback, he went on to achieve great success in his sport.
India’s Historic Paralympic Achievement
This year’s Paralympics has been historic for India, as the country has won more medals than ever before. So far, India has secured 3 gold, 7 silver, and 11 bronze medals, surpassing its previous best of 19 medals at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020. With more events yet to come, India’s medal tally may continue to grow.
