Athletics
Event: Men’s Discus Throw F52 Final
Athlete: Amit Kumar Saroha
Time: 6:40pm IST
Shooting
Event: Men’s R1 10m Air Rifle (Standing) Qualifiers
Athlete: Naresh Sharma
Time: 8:30pm IST
Event: Men’s R1 10m Air Rifle (Standing) Final
Time: 11pm IST
Powerlifting
Event: Men’s 49kg Finals
Athlete: Farman Basha
Time: 9:30pm IST
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| Sept 8 | 18:40 | Athletics | Men’s F52 Discus Throw Final | Amit Kumar Saroha | |||||
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| Men’s R1 10m Air Rifle (Standing) Qualifiers |
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| Men’s R1 10m Air Rifle (Standing) Finals |
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It has been a few weeks since the conclusion of the Olympics at Rio. Now, another less publicised contingent is about to represent the country in a competition that is equally grand and prestigious. Every four years, the Paralympics seek to bring together exceptionally talented, differently abled sportspeople together in a competition full of inspirational people.
Three athletes will feature on this day and both are equally efficient in their disciplines.
Also read: Rio Paralympics 2016, Indian Team: Complete list of the 19 Indian athletes for the Paralympic Games
Born in Haryana, Amit Kumar Saroha suffered a near-fatal car accident that left him a quadriplegic at the age of 22. He took up sports after that as he played a demonstration rugby match and was introduced to several para-athletes in the process. He participated in his first Asian games at Guangzhou in China in 2010 and won a silver in F51 Discus Throw and the Gold in F51 Club Throw in 2014 Asian Para games as Incheon. More recently, he finished second in the F51 Club Throw event at the World Games in Doha in 2015. In the Paralympics, Saroha will be participating in both Club and Discus Throw.
India’s challenge in shooting begins with shooter Naresh Sharma who will be competing in his fifth Paralympic event overall in his career. The 42-year old former Arjuna awardee has featured in every edition of the Games since 1996 missing out only in 2004.
Despite this, he has not yet registered a podium finish at the Paralympics and his best performance came in Beijing in 2008 when he finished 5th. The qualifications and final round for his event are scheduled to be held on this day. Hopes and expectations are naturally high as the shooter will hope to make it big this time.
Powerlifter Farman Basha will be the second Indian to compete today. Farman has previously represented India in the 2012 Games held in London where he narrowly finished 5th. The athlete won a bronze medal at the 2010 Asian Para Games held in Guangzhou, China.
Apart from pursuing excellence in sports, Farman Basha is academically inclined and holds a diploma in electronics and television engineering. He will be competing in the 49kg category. He is affected with poliomyelitis, which he contracted when he was only one year old.
The entire country stands in support of these para-athletes as expectations of medals from this contingent are high.
