Tokyo Paralympics: Devendra Jhajharia sets sight on third gold medal

Jhajharia himself had won gold in javelin throw twice, at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and the 2016 Rio Paralympics.

Devendra Jhajharia in a file photo. (Image: Twitter)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Aug 20, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Indian athlete and two-time gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia is looking to build on the immense confidence the nation has gained in javelin throwing at the Tokyo Paralympic Games. The adulation for the sport came after Neeraj Chopra bagged the gold medal in the sport at the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics. Jhajharia himself had won the gold medal in the sport on two previous occasions, once at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games and the other at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. However, his feats often went unnoticed since the Indian population was not as aware of javelin throwing. For the first time, he is seeing great hype for his sport ahead of the Tokyo Paralympic Games and he said that he is quite happy with it.

Jhajharia, who is the first Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals, said that Neeraj has brought much-awaited respect and recognition to the game thanks to his historic gold medal victory at the Olympics. “When I won the gold with a world record in 2004, it almost went unnoticed as people did not know about javelin throw at that time. It was slightly better post Rio games and I got Khel Ratna and fame for the second gold,” Jhajharia said in an interview with PTI Bhasha. “Now with Neeraj’s historic gold, everyone is talking about javelin throw suddenly,” he added.

Jhajharia said that Neeraj’s victory saw the sport finally getting the recognition it deserved and that fans would be hoping for him to win his third Paralympic gold medal. “Now the time has come when the game has got recognition. I know that after Olympic gold, everyone would be looking at me to win a third Paralympic gold. There is a lot of hype and expectations this time,” he said. At 40, this might be the last time Jhajharia participates in the Paralympic Games, so going out with a medal would be a fitting end to a legendary career.

NOT FEELING THE PRESSURE

The veteran athlete also said that he is at such a stage in his career that he does not feel the pressure of expectations. However, he also said that he would not take the Paralympics lightly. “I don’t take pressure of expectations as I have 19 years of experience now. But I won’t take the competition lightly as the Paralympics is the biggest stage and world’s best para athletes would be there,” Jhajharia said. “I will try my level best to win gold with a world record,” he added.

Speaking about the Olympics, Jhajharia was full of praise for Neeraj Chopra. “The Olympics are altogether a different ball game. Johannes Vetter was throwing 90m continuously before the Olympic cut but could not perform in Tokyo. On the other hand Neeraj is just 23 and see his confidence level,” he said. “Neeraj’s gold medal can be a turning point for the game in India. India’s first Olympic medal in track and field and that too a gold. He almost managed to do his best despite so much pressure of expectations. Hats off to him,” the 40-year-old added.