After Rio no-show, Gurjar roars back with Worlds gold
Paraathlete becomes only the second Indian to win gold at the event
CHANDIGARH: Sundar Gurjar made up for the disappointment at Rio Paralympics, where he was disqualified, by clinching gold in javelin throw at the ParaAthletics 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).
“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.
“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
AN ACCIDENT AT A FRIEND’S PLACE CHANGED HIS LIFE. HE LOST HIS LEFT HAND AFTER A STEEL SHEET FELL ON IT.
important for me. Had I missed it, I would have gone mad,” said Gurjar.
EYE 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.