India opened its account at the Rio Paralympics 2016 on Saturday as top-ranked Mariyappan Thangavelu won a gold medal in the men's T42 high jump, while compatriot Varun Bhati shared the podium with him by getting a bronze. The United States' Sam Grewe split the two Indians by winning the silver. The third Indian taking part in the event, Sharad Kumar, could only finish sixth despite a strong start.

It was Kumar who got India off to a flying start, registering scores of 1.55 m and 1.60 m, which provisionally took him to the top spot. However, his form tapered towards the final stages. Thangavelu and Bhati, meanwhile, left it late, as Thangavelu registered 1.89 m, which was enough to clinch the gold. Bhati was tied on points with Crewe at 1.86 m.