‘I would bunk school for practice’
Sundar Singh Gurjar recently won a bronze medal for India in Men’s Javelin Throw (F46) event in the ongoing Paralympics. But the reason why he dreamt of winning a medal as a kid will bring a smile to your face. “Bachpan mein, main padhne mein kamzor tha aur jab maine pehelwan Sushil Kumar aur boxer Vijender (Singh) ko medal milne par naukri milte hue dekha, toh maine socha khel sabse badhiya hai,” he shares. Gurjar says he bunked classes for his practice sessions. “Main aathvi mein tha toh maine apne PT teacher se kaha, ‘Guruji, mera padhne mein mann nahin lagta.’ Toh unhone mujhe district level me shot put khilaya, aur main first aaya. Ghar wale school bhejte the, par main baste ko raaste mein rakh kar poore din shot put ki practice karta. Do-teen mahine mehenat karke main state level mein gold laya,” says Gurjar.
His coach later convinced him to change his sport to javelin throw. His inspiration is Neeraj Chopra. “Aaj woh world level ka star hai toh bahut achha lagta hai. Mera accident 2015 mein hua tha; uske pehle hum saath khelte the.”