New Delhi: India’s Yogesh Kathuniya claimed the silver medal in the Para-athletics men’s discus F56 final of the Paris 2024 Paralympics at the Stade de France on Monday.
The 27-year-old secured a podium finish with a season-best throw of 42.22 in the event. Brazil’s Claudiney Batista dos Santos won gold with a Paralympic record of 46.86m.
This was Kathuniya’s second successive Paralympics medal. The ace athlete won a silver at the Tokyo 2020 Games and repeated the feat three years later in Paris.
Indian Paralympians continued to fly high in Paris with their eighth medal in the marquee event. With one gold, three silver and four bronze medals, India are placed 30th in the medals tally.
Kathuniya’s remarkable feat was lauded on social media as reactions poured in following the silver medal.
Kiren Rijiju, Cabinet Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, hailed Kathuniya’s extraordinary journey.
.@YogeshKathuniya you have done it again!
With sheer determination and unmatched skill, he’s clinched a Silver medal in the Men’s Discus Throw F56 at the Paralympics 2024!
From relentless training to overcoming challenges, Yogesh’s journey is a true testament to the power of… pic.twitter.com/9zHnNSXm7a
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 2, 2024
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) congratulated the ace athlete.
Two in two for Yogesh Kathuniya! 🇮🇳
Kathuniya secures silver 🥈 in Men’s Discus Throw F56, making it back-to-back medals at the #Paralympics. When you’re #MadeOfBold, consistency is your middle name! 🫡#PlayBold #TeamIndia #Paris2024 #Cheer4Bharat pic.twitter.com/70s1VgEwmK
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) September 2, 2024
Iconic para-athlete Deepa Malik also lauded Kathuniya.
Huge congratulations to @YogeshKathuniya on winning the Silver in the Men’s Discus Throw F56 event with a best throw of 42.22m @Paris2024!🥈🇮🇳
Your dedication and spirit have made the nation proud! #Paris2024 #Cheer4Bharat #Paralympics #Paralympics2024 #MachaDhoom #ParaAthletics pic.twitter.com/MmbXs0RTjX
— Deepa Malik PLY (@DeepaAthlete) September 2, 2024
Kathuniya becomes only the fourth India to win back-t0-back medals in para-athletics.
Indians who have won para-athletics medals in back-to-back editions of the Paralympics
Mariyappan Thangavelu (2016 & 2020)
Devendra Jhajharia (2016 & 2020)
Nishad Kumar (2020 & 2024)
Yogesh Kathuniya (2020 & 2024)
Yogesh was born in March 1997 to Meena Devi and her husband Gyanchand Kathuniya, a soldier with the Indian Army. Yogesh developed Guillain–Barre syndrome at the age of 9 and pursued studies at the Indian Army Public School in Chandigarh where his father was posted at Chandimandir Cantonment.
The grave illness forced his mother to learn physiotherapy. She worked wonders as at the age of 12, Kathunia regained muscle strength to walk again. He went to Kirori Mal College in Delhi, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and started his para games journey on the college campus.
Paris Paralympics: Indian para-athletes continued to fly high in Paris as Yogesh Kathunia gave India their eighth medal in the marquee event. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
