Harvinder Singh scripts history, becomes first Indian to win archery gold at Paralympics

Harvinder Singh becomes first Indian to win archery gold at Paralympics (X/OlympicKhel)

Harvinder Singh on Wednesday scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win archery gold at Paralympics. The 33-year-old achieved the feat after beating Poland's Lukasz Ciszek with a 6-0 scoreline in the men's individual recurve final. This was India's fourth gold at the ongoing edition of the Paralympics, which took the country's overall medal tally to 22.

Harvinder had secured a bronze in the previous edition held in Tokyo three years ago. Both legs of the Haryana-archer were impaired while he was still a toddler owing to a dengue treatment adversely affecting him.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to congratulate the Haryana-based archer on his historic feat. "A very special Gold in Para Archery," the Prime Minister wrote on 'X'. "His precision, focus and unwavering spirit are outstanding. India is very happy with his accomplishment," he added.

A very special Gold in Para Archery!Congratulations to Harvinder Singh for winning the Gold medal in the Men's Individual Recurve Open at the #Paralympics2024!His precision, focus and unwavering spirit are outstanding. India is very happy with his accomplishment. pic.twitter.com/CFFl8p7yP2

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2024

Harvinder is pursuing PhD in Economics and had made his debut at the 2017 Para Archery World Championship, where he finished seventh. He secured a gold medal at the Jakarta Asian Para Games in the following year.

His father had turned their farm into an archery range to support his training during the COVID-19 lockdown. Harvinder had scripted history three years ago, when he became the first Indian to win an archery medal at the Paralympics.