Devendra Jhajharia wins gold medal in javelin throw at 2016 Rio Paralympics

India’s Devendra Jhajharia (36) has won gold medal in the men’s javelin throw, F46 event held at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
With this, he becomes only the second gold medallist at the Paralympics for the country. He won the gold medal with world-record throw of 63.97 metres.
Devendra victory took India’s medal tally at this edition of the Paralympics to four medals — two golds, one silver and a bronze.
He had also secured the gold medal in the javelin event at the 2004 Athens Paralympics with record throw of 62.15 metres. With this, he also became first Indian Paralympian to win two gold medals at the Paralympics.

About Devendra Jhajharia

• Devendra Jhajharia’s left hand amputated after he had met with accident in his childhood.
• He was awarded the Arjuna award in 2004 and the Padma Shri in 2012, becoming the first Paralympian to receive the honour.
• He last participated in the Paralympics 12 years ago i.e. in 2004, however the F46 event did not feature in the 2008 and the 2012 editions of Paralympics.

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2016