Harvinder Singh made history on September 5, 2024, by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in Para archery at the Paralympic Games. Competing in the men’s individual recurve open competition, Singh’s victory comes three years after he earned India’s first Paralympic archery medal, a bronze at Tokyo 2020.

In the final match, Singh faced Poland’s Lukasz Ciszek and won in straight sets. Singh hit the center of the target four times, with the crowd at the Esplanade des Invalides cheering after every shot. Reflecting on his victory, Singh said, “I have done it for India,” sharing how his focus was to change the color of his previous bronze to gold.

Iran’s Mohammad Reza Arab Ameri took the bronze medal in the competition.

Archery: A Game of Confidence

Harvinder Singh’s journey to gold was not just about skill but also confidence. “If you are confident in your shooting, you can land the arrow in the bullseye,” he said, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on every single shot. Singh’s confidence helped him rise from a ninth-place position in the ranking round to secure gold, a remarkable feat in a sport known for its unpredictability.

After the victory, Singh celebrated with his teammates, including Para archery star Sheetal Devi, who had earlier won bronze in the mixed team compound open event with Rakesh Kumar.

A Life-Changing Moment

Singh’s life changed drastically after becoming India’s first Paralympic archery medallist in Tokyo, and now, as the first gold medallist, he expects even more recognition. “Now they can recognize me as the first-ever gold medallist in archery,” he said with a proud smile.

A Journey That Began in 2012

Singh began his archery career after watching the London 2012 Olympic Games on TV. Over the past twelve years, his dedication and perseverance have led to multiple successes, but the road was not without challenges. Singh competed in the 2018 Asian Para Games shortly after his mother’s passing and shared that he felt her presence during his competition in Paris. “She was always on my mind,” Singh said.

Now that he has achieved one of his biggest dreams, Singh plans to relax with his family before preparing for his next goal: winning a gold medal at the World Championships, the only major medal missing from his collection.

Singh’s historic victory at Paris 2024 is a proud moment for India, and he remains focused on continuing to bring glory to his country.

Happy Questing 

@Hasratsingh

@iQOO Connect