Indian athletes may have missed the 'double digit' target in Paris Olympics 2024, but now all eyes are on India's para-athletes who will come out to achieve their target of '25'. After the excitement of the Olympics, the Paralympics 2024 competitions will start in Paris from August 29. After the opening ceremony on the evening of August 28, now all the attention will be on the field, swimming pool and badminton court to shooting range, where there will be a fierce competition between para-athletes from all over the world. This time 84 players are participating from India, which is the largest contingent from the country so far.

There are some names in this, who will be the biggest contenders for the medal.

Sumit Antil

Just as Neeraj Chopra gave a new identity to javelin throw in the country by winning the gold medal in Tokyo Olympics, Sumit Antil has also brought laurels to India in javelin throw in Paralympics. Before Sumit, veteran thrower Devendra Jhajharia also won the gold medal in the same sport, but in a different category. After Neeraj's success in Tokyo, Sumit also won gold in the Paralympics held there. He won the gold medal in the F-64 category.

He will defend his title this time and is also a strong contender for success in it. After the success in Tokyo, he set a world record with a throw of 73.29 meters in the Asian Para Games 2022, which still stands today.

Avani Lekhara

Before Manu Bhaker's double success in the Paris Olympics, shooter Avni Lekhara had done this amazing feat. Rifle shooter Avni won 2 medals in the Tokyo Paralympics, including one gold and one bronze. Avni, who had to use a wheelchair after losing both her legs at the age of just 10, created history by winning gold in the 10 meter air rifle standing SH1 category by equaling the world record in Tokyo.

She will once again compete in this event and will be a contender for gold.

Bhagyashree Jadhav

The Tokyo Paralympics were not good for Bhagyashree, India's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Games with Sumit Antil, but this time she is a strong contender for the medal. Bhagyashree, who represented India in the women's shot put F-34 category, won the silver medal at the World Para Athletics Championships in May this year. Earlier, she had also won the silver medal at the Asian Para Games held last year.

Suhas LY and Krishna Nagar

The Paris Olympics did not prove to be good for India in badminton and after winning medals in 3 consecutive games, this time they had to return empty-handed.

Indian fans will hope that this does not happen in the Paralympics. Two very strong contenders from India are also participating in this event. The most prominent name among them is Krishna Nagar, who will defend his title. Nagar won the gold medal in the men's singles SH-6 category in the Tokyo Games and this time too he will be a contender for victory in this category.

On the other hand, Uttar Pradesh cadre IAS officer Suhas L Yathiraj (LY) has gained a lot of fame by showing his prowess in games along with being a bureaucrat.

He won the silver medal in the men's singles SL-4 category in the Tokyo Games. He achieved this feat when he was the DM of Gautam Buddha Nagar. This time he will enter with the intention of making the color of his medal golden.