Devendra Jhajharia became just the second Indian ever to win three medals at the Paralympics after Joginder Singh Bedi.
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Legendary Indian para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia made the nation proud by winning a silver medal, in the F46 Final of the men’s Javelin Throw event in the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics. Devendra recorded a personal best throw of 64.35m to win the prestigious honour, having won the gold in Athens 2004 and Rio 2016. The javelin thrower’s success makes it all the more sweeter for Indian fans considering the historic gold medal won by Avani Lekhara earlier in the day. Devendra is now just the second Indian ever to win three medals at the Paralympics after Joginder Singh Bedi.
Devendra did not record the best of starts in the F46 Final, with a score of 60.28m. However, he had improved on his performance later in Rio as well, which was a source of solace for Indian fans who were optimistic of a medal for the legendary para-athlete. The 40-year-old went past his previous world record of 63.97m once again with a best throw of 64.35m, as he went about attempting to carve a turnaround. However, Sri Lankan athlete Dinesh Priyan Herath Mudiyanselage was in supreme form as he broke the world record with a sensational 67.79m throw in his third attempt, improving the previous record by almost four meters.
This certainly had an impact on Devendra’s mindset with a foul in his fourth attempt proving costly. Something special was needed in the final two attempts from the javelin thrower. It definitely seemed tense following another foul from the 40-year-old, who headed over to his coach for some inputs at this stage. It was supremely important for Devendra to produce one moment of magic at this point or even a legal throw. The 40-year-old managed to finish proceedings with a fine throw of 61.23m, which proved enough to seal a glorious silver medal for the Indian para-athlete.
Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Herath won gold after shattering Jhajharia’s world record. Two-time reigning world champion Sundar Singh Gurjar won bronze with a throw of 64.01m.
Shooter Avani Lekhara has scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the history of the Paralympics or even the Olympics. Avani achieved this unique distinction in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle event of the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, delivering a sensational performance. The 19-year-old emerged victorious with a total score of 249.6, equalling the current world record. She further scripted a new landmark in the history of the Paralympics, following her sensational tally registered under pressure.
Avani’s 249.6 marks the highest score ever recorded in shooting in the prestigious ongoing event, showcasing her brilliance when it mattered the most. The 19-year-old has helped India record its first-ever medal in shooting in the history of the Paralympics.
“For me, there can be no greater happiness than this. This is the result of her hard work. I hope she brings a gold medal in 50m shooting also,” said her grandfather GR Lekhara as quoted by ANI.
China’s Zhang Cuiping clinched the silver with a total score of 248.9, while Iryna Shchetnik of Ukraine won the bronze scoring 227.5.
