Javelin thrower Devendra
Jhajharia became the first Indian to clinch two gold medals at the Paralympics
after he broke his own world record to clinch the top honours at the Rio Games.
Devendra won gold in the javelin event at the 2004 Athens
Paralympics with a record throw of 62.15 metres, becoming only the second gold
medallist at the Paralympics for his country, and improved upon it with an
attempt of 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao) in Rio on
Tuesday.
The 36-year-old is currently ranked third in the
world. Devendra competed in the event alongside fellow Indians Rinku Hooda
and Sundar Singh Gurjar. Rinku finished fifth with a personal best of 54.39
metres in six attempts, while Sundar Singh Gurjar didn't start the event.
Devendra took India's tally at this edition of the Paralympics to
four medals – two golds, one silver and a bronze. The Rajasthan born
athlete, with an amputated left hand, was awarded the Arjuna award in 2004 and
the Padma Shri in 2012, becoming the first Paralympian to receive the honour.
He was electrocuted while climbing a tree when he was eight years
old and his left hand had to be amputated. But that didn't deter him from
pursuing his dreams. The track and field star won gold at the International
Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Lyon in 2013.
He last participated in the Paralympics 12 years ago. The F46
event did not feature in the 2008 and the 2012 editions. Earlier on
Tuesday, Ankur Dhama failed to qualify from the men's 1,500 m - T11 Round 1
event securing the 11th spot among 17 athletes, five among them getting
disqualified.
He took a time of 4:37.61 to finish his race but it wasn't enough
as the first six qualified for the next round. Swimmer Suyash Jadhav
couldn't qualify for the final round of the men's 200 metre Individual Medley
competition. Jadhav trailed from the start and finished his heat sixth among as
many swimmers with a time of 3 minute 1.05 seconds.
The 22-year-old Maharashtrian was 10th in the overall standings
among 12 swimmers. The best eight athletes progressed to the final
round. Shot putter Deepa Malik on Monday confirmed India's third medal at
the Paralympic Games. Deepa Malik bagged a silver medal in the women's shotput
F53 event, with a personal best throw of 4.61 metres.
Mariyappan Thangavelu had won gold in the Men's High Jump T42
category on Friday with fellow Indian Varun Bhati taking bronze at the same
event. Deepa also became the first Indian female medallist in the history
of the Paralympic Games.
India, who made their Paralympic Games debut in 1968,
have bagged a total of 12 medals including four golds, four silvers and an
equal number of bronze medals.
Britain also set two world records at the Rio Paralympics on
Tuesday. Georgie Hermitage added 400m gold to her 100m title as she stormed to
T37 victory in a new world mark of 1.00.43.
Elsewhere teammate Hollie Arnold won F46 javelin gold with a
43.01m world record throw.
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