Khelo India Para Games: Haryana crowned champions in inaugural edition

Curtains came down on the firstever Khelo India Para Games after a weeklong celebration of human spirit and inclusivity In the games that had 173 gold medals up for grabs Haryana bagged top honours with a total of 105 medals including 40 gold 39 silver and 26 bronze medals on SundayFinishing second was Uttar Pradesh with a total of 62 medals including 25 gold 23 silver and 14 bronze as per a press release from KIPGTamil Nadu finished third with 20 gold eight silver and 14 bronze medals While the Games witnessed star paraathletes who were fresh from their Asian Para Games success in Hangzhou China the likes of armless archer Sheetal Devi discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya table tennis star Bhavina Patel Parul Parmar Nishad Kumar among several others there were also some heartwarming performances by upcoming stars who defied physical limitations to finish on the podiumHailing the efforts of the participants Anurag Singh Thakur the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports and Information and Broadcasting said Today under these spotlights we honour not just medals but the resilient spirit and untold stories that have painted this arena The Khelo India Para Games 2023 marks a historic chapter in our sports history where participation eclipses mere victory As Prime Minister Narendra Modi says Kheloge toh khiloge These past days have etched moments of unwavering human spirit forging new milestones talents emerging records falling and prejudices shattered This is the new India envisioned by the Prime Minister Narendra ModiAlso ReadThe 500 club at a glanceRajesh T of Tamil Nadu Sandeep Dangi of Haryana Tulika Jadhao of Maharashtra Ashmita of Assam are all names to reckon with for their incredible grit and determination The Games also witnessed an Asian record being bettered by Pranav Soorma of Haryana who improved his Asian Para Games gold medalwinning performance of 3001 with an effort of 3354 metres in the club throw event He improved the Asian record of 3109m held by DharambirSports superstars like Mary Kom Harbhajan Singh Anju Bobby George Anjum Moudgil Manu Bhaker Viren Rasquinha and Ajay Jadeja among others made their presence felt at the victory ceremonies to honour the efforts of the paraathletes and also lauded the Government of India and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for introducing para games in their flagship Khelo India eventsThe action on the final day also saw Kerala clinch a stupendous 70 win against Tamil Nadu in CP football with Y Jaya Surya scoring three goals while four goals were scored by A Growth In Table Tennis In the mens Classfour category Sumit Sehgal of Haryana defeated Ramesh Chaudhary of Gujarat 30 118 117 118 in the final to clinch the gold medalOver 1450 paraathletes from 32 states and Union Territories participated in the prestigious Khelo India Para Games which saw events in seven disciplinesOther scores Table TennisGajanan Parmar MP beat Shashidhar Kulkarni KNT 31 119 118 711 1311 in the Mens Classeight categoryRaj Aravindan Alagar TN beat Pawan Kumar Sharma UP 30 112 117 117 in the Mens Classfive categoryPoonam CHD beat BhavikaKukadiya GUJ 31 116 711 117 115 in the Womens Classsix categoryBaby Sahana TN beat PruthviBarve MHR 30 113 116 113 in the Womens Class 910 categoryPrachi Pandey UP beat Dhwani Shah GUJ 30 113 116 112 in the Womens Class seven categoryWith agency inputs