Mumbai, September 6: Sports Minister Mandaviya on Thursday lauded the Indian contingent for achieving the country's best-ever medal haul and expressed hope that the athletes would win more medals in the remaining two days of the Paralympics. With 24 podium finishes in Paris so far, India have already crossed their previous best of 19 medals in the previous edition in Tokyo. Mandaviya felicitated women's 400m T20 bronze medal winning sprinter Deepthi Jeevanji on Thursday. Indian Para-Archer Harvinder Singh Reacts on Following Gold Medal Triumph in Paris Paralympics 2024, Says ‘Proud Moment for Player When National Anthem Is Played’.

Deepthi, a world champion, was expected to be a strong contender for a gold medal but the 20-year-old couldn't produce her best in the final as she added a bronze to her Tokyo Paralympic silver in the T20 category, which is meant for athletes with intellectual impairment.

"I did well but in the final I could not give my best so that's why I got bronze," said Deepthi.

She was born to daily-wage labourer parents in Kalleda village in the Warangal district of Telangana. Paris Paralympics 2024: Simran Sharma Finishes Last in Women’s 100 M Final, Powerlifter Ashok Malik’s Campaign Concludes Without Medal.

"The players have not only showed their skill but made the country proud," Mandaviya said.

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