Para High-Jumpers Mariyappan Thangavelu, Varun Singh Bhati, and Sharad Kumar look to make history on Day 2 of the Paralympic Games in Rio
by Suman Gupta
September 9th 2016, Rio: After a breath-taking opening ceremony on Wednesday night, the much awaited Paralympic Games are finally underway in Rio. And, the largest Indian representation at the Paralympics, kicked off their campaign with Farman Basha in the Powerlifting and Amit Kumar Saroha in the discus throw.
Basha gave India a dream start, finishing fourth with a successful 140 KG Lift, and bettering his previous Olympic performance in London. Following Basha, was Saroha who finished 7th in his discus throw event, an event Amit used as dress rehearsal to his main event, the Club Throw, which he is scheduled to participate in on the 16th of September.
Preview - September 9:
On Day 2 of the Paralympic Games for India, Suyash Jadhav kicks off his Olympic campaign with his 50-meter freestyle heats, taking place at 6:12 P.M (IST). He will be followed by the much-awaited trio of Mariyappan Thangavelu, Varun Singh Bhati, and Sharad Kumar, the top three World Ranked respectively, who will make their first appearance in the F-42 category, in the early hours of 10th September - 2:51 AM (IST). History will be made irrespective of their final performance due to their unprecedented ranking; never before have Indians exhibited similar dominance in any sporting discipline at an event of this magnitude! Speaking with Deepthi Bopaiah, Executive Director of GoSports Foundation, Varun said, "This is what we all train for. It does not get any bigger than the Paralympics. Our Indian high jumpers are some of the best in the world and we hope that our performances at the games can speak of the same."
Another one of India's juggernauts, Narender Ranbir, will participate in the F-44 category in javelin throw, along with his compatriot Sandeep, on 10th September - 2:15 AM (IST). The Para Asian Games silver medallist and new father, Narender, will look to make his mark in Rio for his baby girl, coming into his event ranked World #7. He shared his views, "I have trained really hard for these games. After finishing 6th last time in London, I am excited for these Paralympics and I hope that there's a medal around the corner for our country."
Our correspondent Deepthi Bopaiah, Executive Director at GoSports Foundation, a not-for-profit entity that is supporting 11 of the 19 Indian para athletes, is in Rio to support and encourage the athletes as they look to return with a record medal haul from the Paralympics. She will be sharing daily updates from all the action from Rio!
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