Gold medal winner India's Devendra Jhajharia poses at the presentation ceremony of the men's javelin throw of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 14. Jhajharia won gold and set a new world record. (Press Trust of India)
Gold medal winner India’s Devendra Jhajharia poses at the presentation ceremony of the men’s javelin throw of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sept. 14. Jhajharia won gold and set a new world record. (Press Trust of India)

Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia scripted history by becoming the first Indian to clinch two gold medals at the Paralympics after he broke his own world record to clinch the top honors at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Others also scored medals unlike the Olympic debacle. – @siliconeer #siliconeer #2016RioParalympics #DeepaMalik #DevendraJhajharia #MariyappanThangavelu #VarunSinghBhati, #WorldRecord #GoldMedal #SilverMedal #BronzeMedal #IndiaShines

Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia, 36, who won his previous gold in the 2004 Athens Games, bettered his own world record to finish on top in the men’s F46 event.

Devendra, whose previous best was 62.15 meters (achieved in the 2004 Games), improved the mark with an attempt of 63.97 meters at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao).

Another Indian Rinku Hooda, who also competed in the event, finished fifth with a personal best of 54.39 meters in six attempts, while Sundar Singh Gurjar didn’t start the event.

The Rajasthan-born athlete had lost his left hand when he was electrocuted while climbing a tree as an eight-year-old.

But he continued to follow his dream and went on to achieve the coveted Arjuna award in 2004 and the Padma Shri in 2012, becoming the first Paralympian to receive the honor.

Devendra, who won the gold at the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Lyon in 2013, last participated in the Paralympics 12 years ago as the F46 event did not feature in the 2008 and the 2012 editions.

Currently ranked third in the world, Devendra swelled India’s medal tally at Rio to four medals—two golds, one silver and a bronze.

Thangavelu Mariyappan had earlier struck gold in the men’s high jump, while Varun Bhati had secured a bronze in the same event.

Deepa Malik won a silver in the women’s shot put event to add to the tally.

Family members of shotputter Deepa Malik, who won a historic silver at Rio Paralympics, celebrate at their residence in Gurgaon, India. (Press Trust of India)
Family members of shotputter Deepa Malik, who won a historic silver at Rio Paralympics, celebrate at their residence in Gurgaon, India. (Press Trust of India)

Accolades started to pour in for Devendra as from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cricketers such as Virendra Sehwag and Mohammad Kaif congratulated the athlete for his stupendous feat at Rio.

“Congratulations to Devendra Jhajharia for the historic and well-deserved Gold at the #Paralympics. We are very proud of him. #Rio2016,” Modi wrote in a tweet.

Sehwag wrote: “#Paralympics is pyaara-lympics. Bow down to #DevendraJhajharia fr d Gold&new World Record.He won Gold in2004as well.”

“Congrats #DevendraJhajharia fr the Gold& new World Record.Truly inspiring,wishing fr more coverage than ur 2004 gold,” Kaif wrote in his twitter handle.

2004 Athen Olympics silver medallist shooter, Rajyavardhan Rathore also wrote: “Congratulations #DevendraJhajharia Your #Gold @ #Paralympics is inspiring to many. Kudos to your efforts ?? #Rio2016.”

India’s Olympic gold medallist shooter, Abhinav Bindra also heaped praise on Devendra. “Many many congratulations to Devendra Jhajharia. You inspire us all.”

Tennis star Rohan Bopanna tweeted: “Congrats Devendra Jhajharia for breaking your own world record &making the country proud.”

Paralympics participants Mariyappan Thangavelu (l) and Varun Singh Bhati walk with India's flag after winning gold and bronze medals respectively in the men's high jump event in Rio, Sept. 9. (Press Trust of India)
Paralympics participants Mariyappan Thangavelu (l) and Varun Singh Bhati walk with India’s flag after winning gold and bronze medals respectively in the men’s high jump event in Rio, Sept. 9. (Press Trust of India)

Deepa Scripts History, Wins Silver in Paralympics

India’s Deepa Malik created history by becoming the first-ever woman from the country to win a medal at the Paralympics when she bagged a silver in the shotput F-53 event here.

Deepa’s best throw of 4.61m from her six attempts was enough to clinch the silver medal.

Deepa will receive a cash award of Rs. 4 crore under Haryana Sports Scheme for her feat.

Bahrain’s Fatema Nedham won the gold medal with a best throw of 4.76m, while Dimitra Korokida of Greece bagged the bronze medal with a throw of 4.28m.

Deepa is a paraplegic, paralyzed from waist down and mother of two, and wife of an Army officer. Life took a twist when a spinal tumor made walking impossible for her 17 years ago.

Family members of shotputter Deepa Malik celebrate at their residence in Gurgaon, Sept. 13. (Press Trust of India)
Family members of shotputter Deepa Malik celebrate at their residence in Gurgaon, Sept. 13. (Press Trust of India)

The spinal tumor had to be operated and 31 surgeries were conducted on Deepa, which was healed after 183 stitches between her waist and legs.

Besides shotput, Deepa has participated in javelin throw, swimming and has also been a motivational speaker.

She has also won medals in swimming at international competitions. She holds the Asian record in javelin throw, and also has World Championships silver medals in shot put and discus in 2011.