Shooter Manish Narwal Secures Silver at Paris 2024 Paralympics, Adds to India’s Medal Tally

Indian para-shooter Manish Narwal has once again proven his mettle by clinching a silver medal in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Manish accumulated 234.9 points, earning India its third shooting medal at the Games. Korean shooter Jeongdu Jo won the gold medal with a total of 237.4 points.

Battling Through Adversity in the Finals

The 22-year-old shooter’s journey to the podium was not easy. Stage 1 saw Manish struggle to maintain consistency, with only five 10+ scores out of his first ten shots. At that point, he was outside the top contenders. However, Manish’s resilience shone through as he rebounded in Stage 2, delivering three 10+ shots out of his next four, placing him in contention for the top position.

For a brief moment, Manish overtook Chao Yang of China, thrilling the Indian supporters as he seemed poised for gold. But in the final shots, his scores dropped, allowing Jeongdu Jo to widen the gap and claim the victory. Despite this, Manish’s silver is a proud achievement, making it India’s fourth overall medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

The Challenges of Competing in the SH1 Class

The SH1 class in shooting includes athletes who have limited upper limb movement or impairments in the lower limbs. Manish, who has a congenital impairment in his right hand, faced tough competition in this category. However, his perseverance and ability to adapt under pressure helped him secure the silver, further enhancing his reputation as one of India’s top para-athletes.

Building on Tokyo 2020 Success

This silver medal adds to Manish Narwal’s already decorated career, which includes a gold medal in the mixed SH1 50m pistol event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Manish has become a consistent performer on the international stage and continues to be a source of inspiration for para-athletes across India.

Manish’s Remarkable Journey to Paralympic Glory

Manish’s rise to international recognition has been a journey of overcoming challenges and defying the odds. His passion for shooting was sparked in 2016, when his family took him to a local shooting range. What began as a hobby quickly evolved into a passion, as Manish excelled under the guidance of his coach, Jai Prakash Nautiyal.

He made his international debut at the 2017 Bangkok World Cup, where he secured a gold medal in the P1 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 event and set a Junior World Record. Manish’s continued success is the result of hard work, perseverance, and the mentorship of High Performance Coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal and National Coach Subhash Rana.

A Role Model for Future Generations

Manish Narwal has not only won medals but has also become a symbol of hope and perseverance for many aspiring para-athletes. He has earned medals in the Asian Para Games and continues to shine on the global stage. With his remarkable achievements at such a young age, Manish’s journey is far from over, and he will undoubtedly continue to make India proud in future competitions.