New Delhi: Government of India and Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has sanctioned 10-member para athletics contingent for participating in the IPC Athletics World Championships 2013 to be held at Lyon, France from 19-28 July 2013. All 10 athletes have qualified in 'A' category.

H.N. Girisha, who won the Silver Medal in London Paralympics last year, will compete in men's high jump in T-42 category, while Devendra Jhajharia, who got the Padma Shri Award last year, will compete in Javelin Throw event. He was selected by his performance of 55.34m on 15th June 2013 in Berlin (Germany). Devendra Jhajharia is India's second gold medalist at the Paralympics. India's first gold medal came from Murlikant Petkar. He is a one-armed javelin thrower from Rajasthan. He won gold medal in the javelin throw at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens. He set up a new world record with 62.15m, eclipsing the old one of 59.77m.

S.P. Sangwan will be the Team leader of Indian Paralympic Team. The team departed on Monday night after a send off ceremony cum dinner hosted by Paralympic Committee of India President Sultan Ahmed and J.P. Singh, President Uttar Pradesh Paralympic Association.

In this championships, more than 1,100 athletes from 99 countries are set to compete for 207 medal events in Lyon in what will be the first major gathering of international athletes since the London 2012 Paralympic Games.