The Day 1 of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games saw India’s armless archer, Sheetal Devi finish second in the women’s individual compound open ranking round. With a stunning performance, which saw her miss the world record mark by one point, Devi secured a direct entry to enter the round of 16. Moreover, the para-badminton stars had a mixed outing at the Games on Thursday.
In this article, we will go through all the big news that took place on Thursday, August 29 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Archery
Sheetal Devi shines with personal best score in compound open ranking
India’s armless archer Sheetal Devi finished second in the women’s individual compound open ranking round with a stunning performance to directly make a round of 16 entry in the Paris Paralympics on Thursday. The 17-year-old Devi from Jammu and Kashmir, who shoots with her legs as she was born without arms, scored a total of 703 points out of possible 720 to finish second behind Oznur Girdi Cure of Turkey, who set a ranking round world record of 704 points.
Badminton
Nitesh Kumar-Thulasimathi Murugesan win all-India para badminton clash at Paralympics 2024
Indian pair of Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan lost to Hikmat Ramdani/Leani Ratri Oktila 15-21, 8-21 in Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 Group Stage match. On the other hand, India’s Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj/Palak Kohli suffered a 15-21, 9-21 defeat at the hands of France’s Lucas Mazur and Faustine Noel at Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 Group Stage match.
Manisha Ramadass, Nithya Sre Sivan and Sivarajan Solaimalai win their respective matches in women’s singles
India’s Manisha Ramadass beat Maud Lefort of France in the Group C match of Women’s Singles SU5 at Paris Paralympics 2024. She won the contest 8-21, 21-6, 21-19. In another women’s singles match in SH6 category but in Group A, India’s Nithya Sre Sivan outplayed USA’s Jayci Simon 21-7, 21-8. In a Group A match in men’s category (SH6), Sivarajan Solaimalai of India defeated Subhan of Indonesia 21-15, 21-17.
Taekwondo
India’s Aruna Tanwar loses in taekwondo Paralympics Round Of 16
India’s Aruna Tanwar suffered a heavy 0-19 defeat to Nurcihan Ekinci of Turkey in a round of 16 contest in women’s K 44-47kg category of the Paris Paralympics on Thursday. Aruna was absolutely no match to her opponent from Turkey who garnered points at will in the five-minute round. Ekinci scored two points from body kick nine times during the contest while the Indian also conceded one penalty point (gam-jeom).
Others
Dutchwoman Caroline Groot wins first gold medal of Paris 2024 Paralympics in para track cycling
Track cyclist Caroline Groot of the Netherlands won the first gold medal of the Paralympic Games on Thursday. Groot won the final of the C4 and C5 classifications in the 500-meter time trial in women’s track cycling. Groot won in 35.390 seconds, a world record in C5. French cyclist Marie Patouillet (C5) took the silver for France’s first medal of the Games, and Canada’s Kate O’Brien (C4) took bronze.