Para Asian Games | Indians clinch 17 medals, including six gold, to begin campaign in style

India fourth in Asian Para Games, win 17 medals, including six gold (Avani Lekhara, Pranav Soorma, Nishad Kumar, Praveen Kumar). Track and field events contributed 11 medals (five gold).

India picked up a whopping 17 medals, including six gold, with star shooter Avani Lekhara leading the way as the country ended the opening day of competitions at fourth spot in the Asian Para Games here on Monday.

India (6 gold, 6 silver, 5 bronze) are behind hosts China (31 gold, 29 silver, 23 bronze), Iran (9 gold, 9 silver, 6 bronze) and Uzbekistan (6 gold, 6 silver, 8 bronze) in the medals tally.

As expected, track and field events contributed the most -- 11 medals (including five gold) out of the 17 on offer.

The day began with the Indians sweeping all the three medals in men’s club throw F51 event with Pranav Soorma winning the gold.

The 29-year-old Soorma broke the Asian Para Games record with an effort of 30.01m while Dharambir (28.76m) and Amit Kumar (26.93m) were second and third respectively.

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There were only four competitors in the event with Saudi Arabia’s Radhi Ali Alharthi finishing last with a throw of 23.77m.