Sundar Gurjar made up for the disappointment at Rio Paralympics, where he was disqualified, by clinching gold in javelin throw at the Para-Athletics World Championships in London on Friday.
Gurjar was not allowed to compete at Rio as he turned up late for his event.
In London, however, he came up with a personal best of 60.36m in the fourth throw among six attempts, to grab top honours in F-46 category (disability with single arm amputee).
READ | Sundar Singh Gurjar blames team coach for missing Rio Paralympics event
“I was eagerly waiting for this moment since the Rio fiasco and I am very happy that I was able to pull it off,” an elated Gurjar told HT. “Although sure of a medal before the start, I had a sprain in my ankle while attempting the first throw and that sowed seeds of doubt. I thought bad luck would deprive me of a medal again. Thankfully, it was a minor sprain and in the next throw I touched 59.42m which gave me confidence,” said Gurjar, who hails from Rajasthan.
It’s only the second time that an Indian para-athlete has won gold at the World Championships. Earlier, in 2013, Devendra Jhajharia won gold in javelin throw. He also went on to clinch gold at Rio Paralympics.
{{/usCountry}}It’s only the second time that an Indian para-athlete has won gold at the World Championships. Earlier, in 2013, Devendra Jhajharia won gold in javelin throw. He also went on to clinch gold at Rio Paralympics.
{{/usCountry}}READ | Rio Paralympics: India’s Devendra Jhajharia wins gold in F-46 Javelin throw
“I am thankful to God that I am back on track. The Rio episode put my career in jeopardy. I thought it was all over. But somehow, with the help of my family and coach Mahaveer Prasad, I was able to get back to training and gradually pick up the momentum. The medal at the World Championships was very important for me. Had I missed it, I would have gone mad,” said Gurjar.
Eyes on Tokyo 2020
Till November 2015, Gurjar was competing in general category and also had a junior national gold to his credit. But an accident at a friend’s place, which was under construction, changed his life. He lost his left hand after a steel sheet fell on it.
He soon began competing in para-sport. “A medal in London is just a consolation and only a podium finish in 2020 Tokyo Paralympics can make up for the Rio loss. If everything goes as per plans, and God stays kind to me, I am going to make the country proud in Tokyo,” said Gurjar, who is also competing in the shot put and discus throw events in London.