Shot to the top

Tokyo, September 4

Shooter Manish Narwal smashed a Games record while shuttler Pramod Bhagat yet again asserted his supremacy with a golden performance as India’s tally swelled to 17 after a four-medal haul on a memorable penultimate day at the Tokyo Paralympics here today.

The 19-year-old Narwal shot a total of 218.2, a Paralympics record, for gold in the P4 mixed 50m pistol SH1 event, while Bhagat humbled Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the men’s singles SL3 class badminton final for a historic gold.

India now have four gold, seven silver and six bronze medals to be placed 26th with one day left in the Games.

More medals are in store on the final day with shuttlers Suhas Yathiraj and Krishna Nagar sailing into the men’s singles finals of SL4 class and SH6 class, respectively. Tarun Dhillon, too, stayed in contention for a bronze after losing in the semifinals, while the duo of Bhagat and Palak Kohli will also feature in the third-place playoff in the mixed SL3-SL5 class.

Smashing gold

Narwal smashed the Paralympics record to clinch India’s third gold of the current edition of the Games while compatriot Singhraj Adhana bagged the silver to make it a sensational one-two finish for the country. “I’m very happy,” said Narwal, who hails from Ballabhgarh in Haryana. Narwal had a keen interest in sports from childhood and grew up wanting to become a football player. Unfortunately, he could not fulfil his footballing dreams due to a congenital ailment in his right hand.

The 39-year-old Adhana, who competes with polio-impaired lower limbs, created history as he joined the elite list of Indians who have won multiple medals in the same edition of the Games. He had won the bronze in the P1 men’s 10m air pistol SH1 event on Tuesday.

Bhagat lives up to the billing

With badminton making its debut, world champion and pre-tournament favourite Bhagat became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the sport.

Bhagat claimed the historic gold in the men’s singles SL3 class by beating Great Britain’s Daniel Bethell in the summit clash while Manoj Sarkar bagged a bronze after defeating Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara in the third place playoff.

The top-seeded Bhagat, also an Asian champion, showed great mental fortitude as he prevailed 21-14 21-17 over second-seeded Bethell in a thrilling final that lasted 45 minutes. “This is very special to me, my dream has come true. Bethell really pushed me but I just kept my calm and played to my strengths,” said Bhagat after winning India’s fourth gold.

“I would like to dedicate this to my parents and to everyone who has supported me throughout. I’m glad I could make India proud,” added Bhagat. The 33-year-old from Odisha also remains in contention for a bronze in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 class.

Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Sarkar displayed great resilience during his 22-20 21-13 win over Fujihara. In the SL4 class, Suhas outwitted Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan 21-9 21-15 in the first semifinals. Krishna, seeded second, outplayed Great Britain’s Krysten Coombs 21-10 21-11 in the SH6 class semifinals. In the SL4 class semifinals, Tarun went down narrowly 16-21 21-16 18-21 to Mazur.

In the men’s F41 javelin throw, Navdeep finished fourth with a best effort of 40.80m. — PTI

Multiple medallist Avani to be flagbearer at closing ceremony

Tokyo: Shooter Avani Lekhara will be the flagbearer of the country’s contingent during the closing ceremony of the Paralympics here tomorrow.

The 19-year-old trailblazer Lekhara had won a gold in the

R-2 women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on Monday before claiming the 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 bronze on Friday. “Avani will be the flagbearer and there will be 11 participants from the Indian contingent during the closing ceremony,” an official of the Paralympic Committee of India said. PTI

Highlights

No party time

19-year-old double amputee Ntando Mahlangu stormed to the finish to clinch gold in the men’s 200m T61 final with a time of 23.59 seconds and completed a memorable grand double at the Olympic Stadium on Friday but has to immediately switch his focus to studies.

Home sweet home

Host nation hero Shingo Kunieda of Japan clinched the fourth gold medal of his career as he defeated Holland’s Tom Egberink in two sets in the men’s singles.

Rehm on a roll

Germany’s blade jumper Markus Rehm burnished his status as one of the world’s premier Paralympians with a third successive long jump gold. Age is just a no.

There is no way to stop Cheri Madsen of the United States. Twenty-five years after she had first medalled at the 1996 Atlanta Games, the 44-year-old has another bronze, now in the 100m T54 at the Tokyo 2020. “I never ever had the intention to come back,”she said. Agencies