Indian javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia has become the first Indian athlete to win two gold medals at the Paralympic games after he broke his own world record to finish top in men’s F46 event at Rio.
The javelin thrower won his first gold at Athens when he created a world record by throwing at a distance of 62.15 metres (achieved in the 2004 Games). He has now improved the mark with an attempt of 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao).
Two other throwers – Rinku Hooda and Sundar Singh Gurjar also competed alongside Jhajharia but could not finish on the podium. Rinku finished fifth with a personal best of 54.39 metres in six attempts, while Sundar Singh Gurjar didn’t start the event.
With this win, India’s tally at this edition of the Paralympics has reached to four medals – two golds, one silver and a bronze.
Here is how Twitter reacted to Devendra Jhajharia’s incredible achievement:
Javelin thrower #DevendraJhajharia WINS GOLD by smashing his own world recrd! #Paralympics
They r our unsung heroes. pic.twitter.com/UAUaUrPfuh— a-Rey-Waah (@BrushUrTeeth_03) September 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/fun4love22/status/775903074544214017
No cribbing or complaints. Champion. "@TheHinduSports: #DevendraJhajharia interview https://t.co/eXe23GorZp pic.twitter.com/KQSdEZ7Fkk"
— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) September 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/WhatTheFunnn/status/775899504285474816
Congratulations #DevendraJhajharia … You have made the entire country proud… #Paralympics https://t.co/DAurfPh8t7
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) September 14, 2016
#Paralympics is pyaara-lympics. Bow down to #DevendraJhajharia fr d Gold&new World Record.He won Gold in2004as well pic.twitter.com/s4DzALa5hG
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 14, 2016
Salute to #DevendraJhajharia first Indian Paralympian to win 2 gold medals in javelin, first gold in 2004 at Athens & now second one at Rio!
— Oxomiya Jiyori ?? (@SouleFacts) September 14, 2016
Congratulations #DevendraJhajharia Your #Gold @ #Paralympics is inspiring to many. Kudos to your efforts ? #Rio2016 https://t.co/WvFquNJ1FF
— RajyavardhanRathore (@Ra_THORe) September 14, 2016
Golden moment for #India! Congrats to #DevendraJhajharia for Gold in #Paralympics Javelin throw & a new world record pic.twitter.com/FFK9WfSLQJ
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 14, 2016
#DevendraJhajharia came in contact with an electric cable worth of 11,000 volts. But that didn't stop him from winning two gold medals. 🙂
— Shuvro Ghoshal (@shuvro_ghoshal) September 14, 2016
What a Great news to wake up to! Proud of our #Paralympics team at #Rio2016. You've defied all odds to win laurels.#DevendraJhajharia. #Gold
— Rao Inderjit Singh (@Rao_InderjitS) September 14, 2016