A Gold shines for Devendra Jhajharia in Javelin at Rio Paralympics

Indian’s Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia sets a world record of 63.97m on the scoreboard beating his own record of 62.15m. He has bagged yet gold in the F-46 category for the second time at Rio Paralympics. He is the first Indian who won two gold medals in Paralympics.

As many don’t even know the name ‘‘Devendra Jhajharia’’, who took Indian pride to another level. Born on June 10th 1981 in a poor Jat family native of Rajagarh hails from Churu District in Rajasthan. At the age of eight lost his left hand, while accidently touching the live power cable climbing a tree. Doctors amputated his left hand after medical attention.

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His life took a turn while he started showing interest and participating in para-athletics in 1995. His coach Ripudaman Singh encouraged him from school on identifying his potential towards Javelin throw.

In 2002 he made his international debut in Asian Games Busan, South Korea. He bagged his first gold medal in Athens Summer Paralympics 2004. Ever since he never looked back.

To the word given to his daughter and wife, he competed with a zeal for gold. “ I am confident of grabbing the gold medal, and the world record is a bonus, ” said Devendra to a news official.

Manju, his wife, said “he was working very hard for the past four months for this event, well I am not surprised by his win and record, I expected it before.”

The category of Jhajharia excluded for two editions after Athens. This made him wait for Rio. India has four medals so far, among them two of them are gold.

Some of his achievements are:
  • Prestigious Arjuna Award in 2004
  • Padma Shri (2012; first Indian Paralympia honoured)
  • FICCI Para-sports of the year 2014
  • Maharana Pratap Puraskar award by Rajasthan government