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Sundar Singh Gurjar blames team coach for missing Rio Paralympics event
Amid the euphoria of India’s javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia clinching the gold medal in the F46 category, the curious case of para-athlete Sundar Singh Gurjar not starting the event has gone largely under the radar.
Amid the euphoria of India’s javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia clinching the gold medal in the F46 category, the curious case of para-athlete Sundar Singh Gurjar not starting the event has gone largely under the radar.
Before the start of the event at Rio Paralympics, Gurjar was touted to be a strong medal contender, with reports even claiming that he was regularly throwing 70 metres — Jhajharia’s world record at Rio on Thursday stands at 63.97m. As a result, Gurjar not competing at Rio then has justifiably raised eyebrows.
Having confined himself to his room since that disappointment, the 21-year-old opened up for the first time about the controversy, blaming team coach Deepak Bhardwaj for the missing out on participating, despite being in the arena well in advance.
“We (Jhajharia, Rinku Hooda and myself) were doing our warm-up together. They both went inside (to report for the roll call) while I went to take my kit bag which was kept a little away. SAI officials and team coach Deepak Bhardwaj took the other two athletes for the registration process while nobody even came looking for me. The coach never made me aware of the rules. Instead, he just ignored me. By the time I returned, I was one minute late and my entry was not accepted. All my efforts went down the drain because of this one minute,” Gurjar told Hindustan Times on Saturday.
Gurjar’s chances were also partly hampered due to the language barrier. “I don’t understand English and I did not know that my name was being called (due to difference in understanding their accent),” a heartbroken Gurjar said.
Rajasthan State Sports Council coach Mahavir Saini, who was accompanying Gurjar to Rio, was not allowed inside the main arena as he did not have that particular accreditation. “My personal coach was there, but he was not allowed. He had briefed Deepak sir to look after me, but he replied rudely. If the SAI officials or the coach had told me that I cannot be late by even one second, I would not have left that place and registered myself well before time. I was not told about any rules and regulations,” lamented Gurjar.
What makes Gurjar’s case suspicious is that he had beaten Jhajharia’s long-standing national record earlier this year. In August, Gurjar had also filed an FIR alleging attempts to spike his juice with a banned substance.
Gurjar, however, did not wish to claim that foul play was behind his non-participation.
“I cannot say anything about it (foul play), but when the government has specially sent these officials to help the Indian contingent, it is their duty to take care of each and every athlete. Deepak sir was made the chief coach of athletics… he was not sent here for a honeymoon. It is his duty to guide and inform us about the rules and regulations. At the Games, an athlete is only concentrating on his training and ways of giving his best.
“India has lost a medal only because of coach Deepak sir. He was right there, but never thought of informing me (about the rules and regulations). I have been consistently throwing 10 metres further than the world record. I have been robbed of an opportunity. God may have not supported me this time, but I am confident he will support me next time,” said Gurjar.
The Rio fiasco has left Gurjar disappointed, but not defeated. “My aim now is to win a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships in London. I am more determined than ever and will work even harder than before,” Gurjar signed off. Despite repeated attempts, Bhardwaj was unavailable for a comment.
