Day three of the ongoing Khelo India Para Games (KIGP) in Delhi showcased the prowess of badminton stars and Paralympic champions. Alfiya James and Mandeep Kaur won gold medals in their respective categories.
Sports News: Day three of the Khelo India Para Games 2024 in Delhi witnessed outstanding performances, with Indian stars shining in badminton and shooting competitions. Notably, Alfiya James and Mandeep Kaur demonstrated their talent by winning gold in badminton, while Paralympic gold medalist Avani Lekhara also secured gold with her impressive shooting skills.
Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan Make Significant Strides
A total of 88 gold medals have been awarded by the third day of the competition. Tamil Nadu currently leads the medal table with 19 gold medals, followed by Haryana (14 gold) and Rajasthan (11 gold) in second and third place respectively. Uttar Pradesh secured fourth place with 10 gold medals, making the competition even more exciting.
Alfiya James and Mandeep Kaur Create History
Alfiya James from Kerala and Mandeep Kaur from Uttarakhand delivered outstanding performances in badminton, winning gold medals.
* Alfiya James: The 21-year-old Alfiya's journey has been filled with struggles and determination. Following her father's death in 2010, she continued her sporting career with the support of her mother and brother. Having recently won a major competition in Spain, she further cemented her talent by winning gold at the Khelo India Para Games.
* Mandeep Kaur: The 29-year-old Mandeep Kaur was previously a national-level arm-wrestling champion, but her passion for badminton motivated her to excel in this sport as well. She won a gold medal in her very first international tournament in Uganda. Her gold medal win at the Khelo India Para Games marks another milestone in her successful career.
Avani Lekhara Strikes Gold Again
In the competitions held at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range, Paris Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara won a gold medal with a stellar performance in the women's 10-meter air rifle standing SH1 category. She secured the top spot by defeating Rajasthan's Mona Agarwal, while Uttar Pradesh's Akanksha won the bronze medal. This victory marks another significant achievement in Avani Lekhara's career, reaffirming her position as India's top para-shooter.
Champions Dominate Badminton
Several top Indian para-badminton players showcased impressive performances in this tournament.
Tokyo Paralympic champion Krishna Nagar,
Paris Paralympic bronze medalist Manisha Ramdas,
and 13-time national champion Sanjeev Kumar also emerged as champions in their respective categories.
However, Alfiya James and Mandeep Kaur garnered the most attention, setting a new benchmark in this prestigious tournament by winning gold medals in their respective categories.
