'Extraordinary achievement': PM Modi congratulates athletes for winning medals at Paris Paralympics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated athletes Avani Lekhara, Mona Agarwal and Preeti Pal for winning gold at the ongoing 2024 Paris Paralympics (Preeti Pal) won bronze medals in shooting and competition events.

Prime Minister Modi, while congratulating Raikala for winning the gold medal in the women's 10m pneumatic rifle standing SH1 competition, said her dedication continues to make India proud.

“India opens medal account in #Paralympics2024! Congratulations to @AvaniLekhara for winning the coveted gold medal in the R2 Women's 10M Air Rifle SH1 event. She also made history by becoming the first Indian female athlete to win three Paralympic medals! Her dedication continues to make India proud,” he said on X.

This is her second medal at the quadrennial event, after she created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win gold at the 2020 Paralympics. Finished with a score of 103.7 points. She stepped up the pace in the second period and moved back into contention along with compatriot Mona Agarwal. The latter ranks third.

The Prime Minister also congratulated Mona Agarwal for winning the bronze medal in the R2 Women's 10m Air Rifle SH1 competition. “Congratulations to Mona Agarwal for winning the Bronze Medal in the R2 Women's 10m Pneumatic Rifle SH1 competition at #Paralympics2024 in Paris! Her remarkable achievement reflects her dedication and pursuit of excellence. India is proud of Mona!” he said.

Lee Yoon-ri of South Korea won the silver medal with a score of 246.8 points and finished second. Mona finished third with a total score of 228.7 points and won the bronze medal for the Indian team.

Prime Minister Modi also congratulated Preeti Pal for winning the bronze medal in the women's 100m T35 event. “Preeti Pal brings more glory to India by winning bronze in the 100m T35 event at #Paralympics2024. Congratulations to her. This success will surely inspire budding athletes,” he said.

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

The Prime Minister also praised athlete Manish Narwal, who won the silver medal in the P1 Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 event on Friday.

“Manish Narwal had a brilliant achievement as he won the silver medal in the P1 Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 event. His precision, focus and dedication delivered brilliant results once again. #Cheer4Bharat,” he said.

Narwal finished third behind South Korea's Jeongdu Jo, while China's Yang Chao finished third and took the bronze medal. Naval's silver medal is India's fourth medal at the Paris Paralympics.

India has sent its largest Paralympic delegation with 84 athletes (52 men and 32 women) participating in the Paris Paralympic Games.