Harvinder Singh, a paralympic archer from Haryana, has etched his name in Indian history by becoming the first Indian archer to win a gold medal in the men's recurve event at the Paralympics.
In the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, this Indian archer won a bronze medal in the men's individual recurve event, showcasing his exceptional talent and determination on the global stage. Singh's remarkable achievements have not only brought pride to India but have also inspired countless individuals to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams relentlessly.
Who is Harvinder Singh?
Born on 25 February 1991, in Kaithal, Haryana, Harvinder Singh is an Indian para archer who has represented India in various international competitions. He has won several medals, including a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games.
This renowned para archer has a disability that affects his legs, which resulted from a medical mishap when he was just one and a half years old.
After contracting dengue fever, he was administered an injection by a local doctor that severely impacted his mobility, leaving him unable to move his legs properly.
Despite this challenge, Singh has excelled in archery, becoming a prominent para-athlete and winning multiple medals, including India's first Paralympic medal in archery at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Related Stories: Who is Manish Narwal? The Golden Boy of Indian Shooting
Career
Harvinder Singh began his archery career after being inspired by the 2012 London Paralympics. He first encountered the sport while watching archers train at Punjabi University in 2010.
Motivated by the performances he saw during the London Games, he joined an archery range the very next day.
Singh made his international debut at the 2017 Para Archery World Championships, finishing seventh. His dedication paid off when he won a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
You Might Like: Paralympics 2024: List of All Indian Athletes with Sports Names at the Paris Olympic Games
Medal Tally of Harvinder Singh
The archery journey of Singh has been wonderful and strenuous, as he has faced many challenges and obstacles along the way. Despite the difficulties, he persevered and continued to improve his skills, becoming a formidable archer in the process.
In the 2018 Asian Para Games, Singh clinched gold for India in the men's individual recurve event, showcasing his determination and talent on the international stage. In addition, he has won a bronze medal in the individual category at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
Similarly, in the 2022 Asian Para Games, which took place in 2023, he contributed to the Indian team's success by winning another bronze medal.
More recently, in June 2024, Singh earned a bronze medal at a Para Archery World Ranking event in the Czech Republic. Earlier, in April 2024, he also claimed a bronze medal at the World Archery Oceania 2024 Para Grand Prix in Australia.
| Year | Event | Medal Type | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Asian Para Games | Gold | Men's Individual Recurve |
| 2020 | Tokyo Paralympics | Bronze | Men's Individual Recurve |
| 2022 | Asian Para Games (held in 2023) | Bronze | Men's Team Recurve |
| 2024 | Paris Paralympics | Gold | Men's Individual Recurve |
| 2024 | Para Archery World Ranking | Bronze | Individual Event |
| 2024 | World Archery Oceania Para Grand Prix | Bronze | Individual Event |
Harvinder Singh at Paralympics 2024
On 29th August, Singh qualified for the ranking round by securing the 4th spot with a score of 637 points. He performed well and moved on to the knockout stages, where he showed great skill and determination.
In the semi-finals, he made an amazing comeback to beat Iran's Mohammad Reza Arab Ameri. This win took him to the final, where he faced Poland's Lukasz Ciszek.
In the final match, Singh played brilliantly and won all three sets with a score of 6-0, earning the gold medal in the men's recurve individual event. He made history as the first Indian para archer to win multiple Paralympic medals.
Harvinder rallied to win the game 7-3 after falling behind 2-1. In the round of 16, he had defeated Setiawan of Indonesia, winning 6-2. He defeated Colombia's Hector Ramirez in the quarterfinals by the same margin.
| Team | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 28 | 28 | 29 | 6 |
| Poland | 24 | 27 | 25 | 0 |
Also Read:
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation