Honourable Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated the Indian contingent upon their successful return from Kuala Lumpur, following an impressive 55-medal haul at the 10th Asia-Pacific Deaf Games. This marks an 11-fold increase over their previous participation in 2015, when they won just 5 medals.
The 68-member Indian team’s performance placed them fifth out of 21 participating countries, their best-ever showing in the quadrennial tournament since its inception in 1984.
Highlights of the Indian Team’s Historic Achievement
The Indian team secured an unprecedented medal tally:
- 8 Gold Medals
- 18 Silver Medals
- 29 Bronze Medals
This performance was the team’s best since competing in the Asia-Pacific Deaf Games and a major step forward from the 2015 edition, where they won 5 medals and ranked ninth out of 23 countries.
Union Minister’s Address to the Indian Contingent
During a special interaction with the athletes, coaches, and support staff, Mansukh Mandaviya expressed pride in their achievements and lauded their contribution to the nation’s sports success.
Key Points from the Address:
“I want to congratulate the Indian deaf team for enhancing the country’s pride and honour by winning 55 medals in the Asia-Pacific Deaf Games in Malaysia.”
“The Indian government is taking several steps to improve sports infrastructure and governance.”
“When you win, you don’t just win for yourself—the entire nation wins with you.”
Mandaviya also highlighted the change in the scale of participation compared to 2015. This year, a team of 68 athletes competed across seven disciplines—a significant increase from the smaller team in 2015.
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Medal Performances Across Various Disciplines
The Indian team showcased excellence across multiple sports. Here’s the medal breakdown by discipline:
| Sport | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total Medals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 5 | 12 | 11 | 28 |
| Badminton | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Chess | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Judo | 2 | 0 | 5 | 7 |
| Table Tennis | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| Wrestling | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 |
The breakdown reveals athletics as the standout performer, with 28 medals (5 gold, 12 silver, 11 bronze), marking their highest-ever medal haul in the discipline.
Top Medal Performers at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Deaf Games
Several standout athletes contributed significantly to India’s success:
Athletics
- Priyanga Paramaraj
- Key performer in athletics with contributions in individual sprints and relay events.
- Played a pivotal role in securing medals in both gold and silver categories.
- Ridham Sharma
- Won gold medals in relay events and a silver medal in the 400 M hurdles.
- Vinith Mani
- Excelled in individual and team events, securing gold in the 400m sprint.
- Sanya Dongre
- Gold medalist in the Women’s 4 x 100 M Relays and won bronze in the Women’s 100 M and 200 M Runs.
Badminton
- Jerlin Anika Jayaratchagan stood out by winning four medals:
- Silver in Mixed Doubles and the Mixed Team Event.
- Bronze in Women’s Singles and Women’s Doubles.
Her versatility across singles and doubles events proved vital to India’s medal success.
Wrestling
- Sumit Dahiya made history by winning two gold medals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling categories.
- His performance highlighted his dominance, versatility, and strength in competition.
Judo
- Milanmeet Kaur won gold in the Under 48 KG category and earned a bronze medal in the Team Women event, showcasing her skill and teamwork.
Preparation and Support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Ahead of the Games, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) played a crucial role by organizing specialized training camps and providing financial support for the athletes’ journey to Malaysia.
SAI’s Training Support Included:
- Discipline-specific training camps at:
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi
- Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi
- SAI NCOE Sonepat
- SAI Regional Centre Lucknow
- Financial assistance covering travel and accommodation in Malaysia.
SAI’s proactive planning and support were key enablers for the team’s success.
A Milestone for Indian Sports
The Indian team’s performance at the 10th Asia-Pacific Deaf Games is not just a sporting achievement but a symbol of the country’s growth and progress in the sports sector. The record-breaking medal haul of 55 medals demonstrates the fruits of dedicated preparation, hard work, and sports infrastructure improvement.
The Indian government and sports bodies are optimistic that this victory will inspire future generations of athletes to pursue excellence on the global stage.
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