Paralympics 2016 | Devendra Jhajharia clinches Javelin Gold

Devendra Jhajharia clinched India’s fourth medal at the Rio Paralympic Games on Wednesday, after bettering his own world record in the men’s javelin throw F46 event. This is Devendra’s second gold medal in Paralympics, winning the same event at the 2004 Athens Games.

Devendra Jhajharia threw a record 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium in Engenhao, bettering his own previous record of 62.15m from the 2004 Games. That this record stood for 12 long years is remarkable .The silver medalist, Guo Chunliang of China could manage a throw of 59.94 metres, which is a clear indication of Devendra’s excellent performance. The 2012 Padma Shri awardee competed alongside fellow Indians Rinku Hooda and Sundar Singh Gurjar.

Controversy did accompany the event though. Sundar Singh Gurjar did not start the event, even as Rinku Hoda finished fifth. According to the Hindustan Times, Sundar could not compete as he failed to reach the venue on time. India now have two gold, one silver and one bronze in the 2016 Paralympics. Thangavelu Mariyappan and Varun Bhati had bagged gold and bronze respectively in the men’s high jump, while Deepa Malik had clinched silver in the women’s shot put event.