Paris Paralympics 2024 Para-Judo: Kapil Parmar wins bronze medal in men’s -60kg J1 event

Indian para-judoka Kapil Parmar won a bronze medal in the Paris Paralympics 2024 para-judo men’s -60kg J1 event on Thursday.

Young para-judoka Parmar defeated Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira in the bronze medal match 10-0 to win India’s 25th medal in the ongoing Paris Paralympics 2024.

Thursday’s match-up was one of the most exciting contests in the Paris Paralympics 2024 para-judo lineup, with 2022 Asian Para Games silver medalist Parmar going up against 2023 ParaPan American Games silver medalist de Oliveira.

However, the match itself was anything but even, with Parmar completely outclassing his opponent on the day. He won the bout in a mere 33 seconds by scoring an ippon via a soto-makikomi throw.

This victory meant that Parmar became the first para-judoka to win a Paralympic medal for India.

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How did Kapil Parmar fare at the Paris Paralympics 2024 Para-Judo men’s -60kg J1 event?

Kapil Parmar, a World Games bronze medalist, was one of the brightest prospects in the Indian para-judoka contingent going into the Paris Paralympics 2024.

The Madhya Pradesh-native started his Paris Paralympics 2024 para-judo campaign in the perfect fashion, winning in the quarter-final round against Venezuela’s Marcos Dennis Blanco by 10-0.

He then faced the 2022 Asian Para Games gold medalist Seyed Meysam Banitaba Khorram Abadi of Iran. However, his luck ran out as he lost the bout by a margin of 0-10.

Despite starting the match confidently, the Indian para-judoka was completely overpowered by his experienced opponent, who scored an ippon at the 1:41 mark with a sumi-otoshi throw.

However, Parmar had a chance to salvage his Paris Paralympics 2024 campaign in the bronze medal match against Brazil’s Elielton de Oliveira. Parmar finally emerged victorious in the crucial match, ensuring a historic bronze medal for India in the ongoing quadrennial event.

Kapil Parmar will end the Paris Paralympics 2024 campaign as India’s only para-judo medal winner, as Kokila Kaushiklate failed to win her repechage match on Thursday.