Haryana are the first champions of KIPG

New Delhi: Haryana bagged the top honours with 105 medals while Uttar Pradesh finished runners-up as the curtains came down on the first-ever Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) here. Haryana pocketed 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze to trounce UP on medal count. The latter settled for an overall tally of 62 – 25 gold, 23 silver and 14 bronze. Tamil Nadu finished third with 20 gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals.The KIPG witnessed star para-athletes who were fresh from their Asian Para Games success in China’s Hangzhou. The likes of archer Sheetal Devi, discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya, table tennis star Bhavina Patel, Parul Parmar, Nishad Kumar were among several performers who produced heart-warming performances to defy their physical limitations. “Today, under these spotlights, we honour not just medals but the resilient spirits and untold stories that have painted this arena. The KIPG marks a historic chapter in our sports history, where participation eclipses mere victory. These past days have etched moments of unwavering human spirits, forging new milestones, talents emerging, records falling and prejudices shattered,” said sports minister Anurag Thakur. Over 1450 para-athletes from 32 states and UTs participated in the KIPG in seven disciplines.