In a display of extraordinary athleticism, Haryana swept the top honors at the 24th National Para Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, concluding on March 21. With 39 golds among their 95-medal total (31 silvers, 25 bronzes), the team from Haryana left competitors in awe, securing the overall title.
Tamil Nadu’s 51 medals placed them second, while Gujarat’s 30 medals earned third spot. Odisha, despite hosting, ranked ninth with 17 medals including 5 golds.
The five-day event drew 1,460 athletes from 28 states plus BSF and SSCB teams, competing fiercely in 145 events that tested limits and celebrated triumphs.
Standout performances included Haryana’s Monu Ghanghas in Men’s Discus F11 (35.05m gold), outdistancing Rajasthan’s Praveen Sharma and Andhra’s Neelam Sanjay Reddy.
Ram Ratan Singh of Uttar Pradesh hurled 11.98m for gold in Men’s Discus F51-53, with Haryana duo Pranav Surma and Dharmbir close behind.
Sprinters stole the show on the track: Gujarat’s Bhatt Rakesh Bhai clocked 24.25s in 200m T37, and Maharashtra’s Abhishek Jadhav dominated 200m T35.
Endurance runners impressed as Himachal’s Saurabh Sharma finished Men’s 5000m T13 in 16:00.88, and Haryana’s Ankur Dhama took 5000m T11 in 17:47.54.
Gujarat’s Damor Tejlaben Amraji soared 4.95m to gold in Women’s Long Jump T11-12, edging Odisha’s Janki Oram and Delhi’s Shivani Tyagi.
In Women’s Javelin F12-13, Arunachal’s Kipa Mero’s 23.76m throw secured gold, with Karnataka’s Gangavya and Haryana’s Aastha Tokas in pursuit.
Haryana’s Hani threw 49.65m for Men’s Discus F37 gold, Gujarat’s Manav Prajapati silver, and teammate Bhavishya bronze.
Other highlights: Odisha’s Suchitra Parida in Women’s Javelin F56 and Uttar Pradesh’s Kartik Chahal and Sagar Thayat in Men’s Discus F64.
Haryana’s commanding victory signals a bright future for Indian para athletics, motivating athletes nationwide.