Indian athletes showcased their talent on the third day of the Paris Paralympics 2024, held on August 31st (Saturday). Among the standout performances was that of women’s shooter Rubina Francis, who won the bronze medal in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol (SH1) event. Rubina delivered an impressive performance, scoring 211.1 points in the final round to secure her spot on the podium.
With Rubina’s achievement, India’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024 has now risen to five, consisting of one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals. Her success marks a significant milestone for Indian sports as she becomes the first Indian woman to win a Paralympics medal in pistol shooting.
Rubina earned her place to represent India at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris after securing an Olympic quota berth under the bipartite rule in July 2024. Her historic achievement not only adds to India’s growing accolades in the Paralympics but also inspires many aspiring athletes across the country.
Iran’s Sareh Javanmardi won gold and Turkey’s Aysel Ozgan won the silver medal in this event. Sareh Javanmardi scored 236.8 points. At the same time, Aysel Ozgan scored 231.1 points. Rubina was at one time running in second position, but later she fell behind. The SH1 category in shooting includes shooters who have impaired movement of their arms, lower torso, legs or have a disorder in their arms or legs.
Rubina, a para pistol shooter from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol event at the World Shooting Para Sports World Cup-2023. Rubina set a junior world record by winning the gold medal in the 10m air pistol women’s team event at the World Shooting Para Sports Championship held in Bangkok in 2017. She also won a bronze medal at the 2019 World Para Championship in Croatia.
Rubina Francis has so far won a total of 6 medals including 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze in 10 international competitions. At the national level also, she has increased the pride of the state by winning 17 medals including 13 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze.
25-year-old Rubina has rickets and is 40 percent disabled in her legs. Rickets is a condition that affects bone development in children. This disease causes pain and weakness in the bones. This can cause deformity in the bones. Rubina takes training in pistol shooting at the Madhya Pradesh Shooting Academy.
Rubina Francis, a resident of Jabalpur, joined the State Sports Academy in 2015. This is Rubina’s second Olympics, before this she was deprived of a medal in the Tokyo Olympics. Rubina has made junior records twice in the years 2017 and 18 and equaled the world record once in France in the year 2018.
PM Narendra Modi greeted Rubina. He wrote: Yet another proud moment for India as @Rubina_PLY wins a Bronze in the P2 – Women’s 10M Air Pistol SH1 event at the #Paralympics2024. Her exceptional focus, determination, and perseverance have given outstanding results. #Cheer4Bharat
Madhya Pradesh Dr. Mohan Yadav said that this victory of daughter Rubina will pave the way from struggle to success for the youth of the state along with the country, especially the daughters. CM Dr. Yadav has prayed to Baba Mahakal that this sequence of Rubina’s victory continues and Rubina continues to make the country as well as Madhya Pradesh proud in this way.
Sachin Tendulkar also greeted Rubina. He said, “Rubina Francis, congratulations on a well-deserved bronze! Your focus and accuracy in the 10m air pistol event have brought immense pride to the nation. Keep hitting those targets.”
India’s medal winners at Paris Paralympics 2024
- Avani Lekhara (Shooting)- Gold Medal, Women’s 10m Air Rifle (SH1)
- Mona Agarwal (Shooting)- Bronze Medal, Women’s 10m Air Rifle (SH1)
- Preeti Pal (Athletics)- Bronze Medal, Women’s 100m Race (T35)
- Manish Narwal (Shooting)- Silver Medal, Men’s 10m Air Pistol (SH1)
- Rubina Francis (Shooting)- Bronze Medal, Women’s 10m Air Pistol (SH1)
