Sachin Sarjerao Khilari bags silver in shot put, India's medal tally climbs to 21 at Paris Paralympics

Sachin Sarjerao Khilari extended India's rich medal haul at Paris Paralympics by winning silver in men's shot put F46 event. He secured the medal with an Asian record distance of 16.32m, which he recorded in his second attempt. Khilari has previously won the world title in Japan earlier this year in May. He had then won the title with a throw of 16.30m.

Meanwhile, Greg Stewart of Canada defended his Tokyo Paralympic gold with a throw of 16.38m and Luka Bakovic of Croatia took the bronze with 16.27m.

This is India's 21st medal at the ongoing Paralympics, country's best performance at the Games. Khilari's silver in fact is the 11th medal India have won in para-athletics in this edition.

Khilari had won a gold in last year's Asian Para Games in China.

F46 classification is for athletes with arm deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement in arms, with athletes competing in a standing position. Khilari has an impaired left hand.

If we look at the performance, India went past last edition's number of podium finishes on Tuesday evening, securing double podium finishes in high jump and javelin throw events, which took place late on Tuesday night as per IST.

India had won five gold, eight silver and six bronze medals at the Tokyo Paralympics.