<p>The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) on Saturday announced a 24-member athletics team, headlined by star javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia and high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu, for the Tokyo Paralympics, beginning August 24.</p>.<p>Besides Jhajharia and Thangavelu, who won gold in the F46 javelin and T-42 high jump events respectively in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, other top para-athletes include world record holders Sandeep Chowdhury and Sumeet.</p>.<p>The PCI's selection committee picked the team after a two-day trial at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on June 29 and 30. The selection meeting was chaired by PCI chief Deepa Malik.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/rio-gold-medallist-mariyappan-thangavelu-named-flag-bearer-for-tokyo-paralympics-1004089.html" target="_blank">Rio gold medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu named flag-bearer for Tokyo Paralympics</a></strong></p>.<p>India has been granted 24 slots, including four women, by the World Para Athletics.</p>.<p>The committee also picked men's F-57 javelin thrower Ranjeet Bhati, who was not in the long list of athletes for accreditation as his ranking was low before the trial.</p>.<p>"However, he significantly improved his performance in Final Selection Trial and is ranked 5th as per the MES Ranking as on 01.07.2021," the PCI said.</p>.<p>"His selection is subjected to issuance of the accreditation for the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics 2020."</p>.<p>The committee also named Sandip Sanjay Sargar (javelin F-64) as reserve athlete.</p>.<p>Thangavelu, who was earlier named the Indian contingent's flag bearer for the Paralympics, said the honour will motivate him to produce a medal-winning performance this time also.</p>.<p>"My performance at selection trials (1.86m) was one of my best after my Rio 2016 performance. I had an ankle injury in 2017 and it took some time to heal. It's been a while since I had been looking to get my old rhythm back. And I believe I have got it back now. I feel I am ready for the Games," he said.</p>.<p>"I am also happy to be named as the flag-bearer of the Indian team. This will motivate me to come up with a medal winning performance. I will aim for the gold and aim for a jump of 1.93 metres," the 26-year-old from Salem in Tamil Nadu said.</p>.<p>The Team:</p>.<p>Men: Devendra Jhajharia, Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar (all javelin F-46), Sandeep Chaudhary and Sumit (both javelin F-64), Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sharad Kumar and Varun Singh Bhatti (all high jump T-63), Amit Kumar and Dharambir (both club throw F-51), Nishad Kumar and Ram Pal (both high jump T-47), Sonam Rana (shot put F-57), Navdeep (javelin F-41), Praveen Kumar (high jump T-64), Yogesh Kathuniya (discus throw F-56), Vinod Kumar (discus throw F-56), Ranjeet Bhati (javelin F-57), Arvind (shot put F-35), Tek Chand (javelin F-54).</p>.<p>Women: Ekta Bhyan and Kashish Lakra (both club throw F-51), Bhagyashri Jadhav (shot put F-34), Simran (100m T-13).</p>.<p>Reserve: Sandi Sanjay Sagar (men's javelin F-64).</p>
<p>The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) on Saturday announced a 24-member athletics team, headlined by star javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia and high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu, for the Tokyo Paralympics, beginning August 24.</p>.<p>Besides Jhajharia and Thangavelu, who won gold in the F46 javelin and T-42 high jump events respectively in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, other top para-athletes include world record holders Sandeep Chowdhury and Sumeet.</p>.<p>The PCI's selection committee picked the team after a two-day trial at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on June 29 and 30. The selection meeting was chaired by PCI chief Deepa Malik.</p>.<p><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/other-sports/rio-gold-medallist-mariyappan-thangavelu-named-flag-bearer-for-tokyo-paralympics-1004089.html" target="_blank">Rio gold medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu named flag-bearer for Tokyo Paralympics</a></strong></p>.<p>India has been granted 24 slots, including four women, by the World Para Athletics.</p>.<p>The committee also picked men's F-57 javelin thrower Ranjeet Bhati, who was not in the long list of athletes for accreditation as his ranking was low before the trial.</p>.<p>"However, he significantly improved his performance in Final Selection Trial and is ranked 5th as per the MES Ranking as on 01.07.2021," the PCI said.</p>.<p>"His selection is subjected to issuance of the accreditation for the upcoming Tokyo Paralympics 2020."</p>.<p>The committee also named Sandip Sanjay Sargar (javelin F-64) as reserve athlete.</p>.<p>Thangavelu, who was earlier named the Indian contingent's flag bearer for the Paralympics, said the honour will motivate him to produce a medal-winning performance this time also.</p>.<p>"My performance at selection trials (1.86m) was one of my best after my Rio 2016 performance. I had an ankle injury in 2017 and it took some time to heal. It's been a while since I had been looking to get my old rhythm back. And I believe I have got it back now. I feel I am ready for the Games," he said.</p>.<p>"I am also happy to be named as the flag-bearer of the Indian team. This will motivate me to come up with a medal winning performance. I will aim for the gold and aim for a jump of 1.93 metres," the 26-year-old from Salem in Tamil Nadu said.</p>.<p>The Team:</p>.<p>Men: Devendra Jhajharia, Ajeet Singh and Sundar Singh Gurjar (all javelin F-46), Sandeep Chaudhary and Sumit (both javelin F-64), Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sharad Kumar and Varun Singh Bhatti (all high jump T-63), Amit Kumar and Dharambir (both club throw F-51), Nishad Kumar and Ram Pal (both high jump T-47), Sonam Rana (shot put F-57), Navdeep (javelin F-41), Praveen Kumar (high jump T-64), Yogesh Kathuniya (discus throw F-56), Vinod Kumar (discus throw F-56), Ranjeet Bhati (javelin F-57), Arvind (shot put F-35), Tek Chand (javelin F-54).</p>.<p>Women: Ekta Bhyan and Kashish Lakra (both club throw F-51), Bhagyashri Jadhav (shot put F-34), Simran (100m T-13).</p>.<p>Reserve: Sandi Sanjay Sagar (men's javelin F-64).</p>