August 6, 2019
Indian Para athletes have put up a splendid show at the second
edition of the World Para Athletics Junior Championships at Nottwil in
Switzerland. India ranked second in the overall medals tally, with 23
medals.
The world’s best young Para athletes were seen in action at the second
edition of the World Para Athletics Junior Championships in Nottwil,
Switzerland, from 1-4 August 2019.
The four-day event, which started in 2017, was held at the Sport
Arena of the Swiss Paraplegic Centre Over 320
athletes from 44 countries took part. The event is seen as a pathway for
talented young athletes towards senior elite level Para athletics, major
championships and Paralympic Games.
Under the motto Face the Challenge, athletes from 14 to 19 years
of age compete against each other with the aim of getting a step closer to
their dreams of the Paralympic Games.
With 26 athletes, India had the biggest delegation in Nottwil followed by
Spain with 23 and Germany and USA both with 20. United States topped the
overall medal table for the second time with 16 gold, with India at second
place with 11 Gold, 6 Silver and 6 Bronze medals. India also topped the
Under-20 medal table with 8 Gold, 4 Silver and 3 bronze medals.
Our junior Para athletes have performed amazingly at the just concluded
World Para Athletics Junior Championships, setting a clear future road map
with a roar that –Beware of India, a giant has now awakened!. –
Gursharan Singh, Interim President, Paralympics Committee of
India
India’s performance was quite remarkable given the tough competition and
was taken special note of by Andrew Parsons, President, International
Paralympic Committee who sent a special congratulatory message for
the Indian continent. Tarek Souei, CEO, Asian
Paralympic Committee added, “The future is for India, so please
keep investing in these young boys and girls and you will see them also at
the top of the table in 2021 Asian Youth ParaGames”.
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