Harvinder's Historic Golden Touch, Sachin's Silver Take India's Medal Haul To 22 At Paralympics

Harvinder Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian archer to clinch a gold at the Paralympics after world champion shot-putter Sachin Sarjerao Khilari's record-shattering silver-winning effort as the country's athletes continued to surpass expectations in its best ever performance at the Games. The 33-year-old Harvinder, who became the first Indian to win an archery medal at the Games with a bronze three years ago in Tokyo, bettered the colour of his medal in a superlative performance of five consecutive wins.

He defeated Poland's Lukasz Ciszek 6-0 in a one-sided final to script history for himself and the country. Both legs of the Haryana-archer were impaired while he was still a toddler owing to a dengue treatment adversely affecting him.

Earlier, the 34-year-old Khilari pulled off a 16.32m throw in his second attempt of the F46 category final to better his own Asian record of 16.30m which he set in May while winning gold in the World Para-Athletics Championships in Japan.

Their performance took India's medal haul to 22 and the nation is currently placed 15th in the overall standings with four gold, eight silver and 10 bronze medals.

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

Khilari's silver was also India's 11th medal from track-and-field, the Tokyo haul of one gold, five silver and two bronze medals long overhauled.

Late on Tuesday night, Indians won silver and bronze in both men's high jump T63 and javelin throw F46 after Deepthi Jeevanji's bronze in the women's 400m T20 category in India's best day at the Games.

Sharad Kumar and Mariyappan Thangavelu won silver and bronze respectively in the men's high