The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) announced a 24-member athletics squad for the Tokyo Paralympics, which begins August 24. The roster includes renowned javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia and high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu. Other prominent para-athletes include world record holders Sandeep Chowdhury and Sumeet, who won gold in the F46 javelin and T-42 high jump events, respectively, at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. The team was chosen by the PCI selection committee during a two-day trial at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on June 29 and 30.
Deepa Malik, the CEO of the PCI, presided over the selection meeting. The World Para Athletics has awarded India 24 places, including four women athletes.
The committee also chose Ranjeet Bhati, a men’s F-57 javelin thrower who was not on the lengthy list of athletes for accreditation due to his poor ranking before the trial.
“However, he greatly improved his performance in the Final Selection Trial and is placed 5th as of 01.07.2021,” according to the PCI.
“His selection is conditional on the receipt of accreditation for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.”
The Team:
Men: Devendra Jhajharia, Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar (all javelin F-46), Sandeep Chaudhary and Sumit (both javelin F-64), Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sharad Kumar and Varun Singh Bhatti (all high jump T-63), Amit Kumar and Dharambir (both club throw F-51), Nishad Kumar and Ram Pal (both high jump T-47), Sonam Rana (shot put F-57), Navdeep (javelin F-41), Praveen Kumar (high jump T-64), Yogesh Kathuniya (discus throw F-56), Vinod Kumar (discus throw F-56), Ranjeet Bhati (javelin F-57), Arvind (shot put F-35), Tek Chand (javelin F-54). Women: Ekta Bhyan and Kashish Lakra (both club throw F-51), Bhagyashri Jadhav (shot put F-34), Simran (100m T-13).
Reserve: Sandi Sanjay Sagar (men’s javelin F-64)
