Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia wins gold at Paralympics

Rio de Janeiro, Sep 14 (PTI) 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 honours at the ongoing Rio Games here.

The 36-year-old, 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 metres (achieved in

the 2004 Games), improved the mark with an attempt of 63.97 metres

at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao).

Another Indian Rinku Hooda, who also competed in the event,

finished fifth with a personal best of 54.39 metres 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 Arjuna award in 2004

and the Padma Shri in 2012, becoming the first Paralympian to receive

the honour.

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.

Later, Deepa Malik won a silver in the women's shot put event

to add to the tally.

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."