While India rejoices at the historic achievement of Neeraj Chopra, the recently concluded Tokyo Olympics, another javelin thrower is gearing up to make his country proud in the upcoming Paralympics. Devendra JhajhariaThe two-time Olympic champion – the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics – will be aiming for her third gold medal in the F-46 javelin throw event. The 40-year-old from Churu, Rajasthan is India’s most decorated Paralympian. He was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2012, making him the first para-athlete to receive the national honour.
Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Devendra Jhajharia aims to finish third in javelin throw
India is sending its largest team ever to the Paralympics with 54 athletes and they will compete in nine events. However, the Churu-born javelin thrower, whose left arm was amputated when he was eight years old when he accidentally touched a live electric cable, was one of India’s best bets for another gold medal. Is.
“I am leaving for Tokyo on the 24th. I have been preparing well, my coach Sunil Tanwar, who was with me in Rio, is still with me, so is my fitness trainer Lakshya Batra. I am at SAI in Gandhinagar. Training at the centre. I have lost 7kg to gain speed. Right now, I am 100% fit for the competition and with the prayers of my countrymen, I am sure I will get gold,” Devendra Jhajharia told News18. told com.
Like everyone, his preparations for the Quadrangular Games were also affected as he had to be confined inside his house during the lockdown. His coach was concerned that lack of exercise and physical exercise would bring his level down, thus urging him to continue with his workout routine to maintain fitness. Jhajharia had also tested positive for Covid-19 last year. However, his wife Manju played a key role in the time of trial.
“I could not train during the lockdown; I was imprisoned inside my house. It was a strange feeling as I was not able to practice but my coach insisted that I should continue with my training so that my body fat percentage does not increase.”
“My wife asked me to do theraband exercises, medicine ball exercises and we used gas cylinders and car tires for weight training. During the lockdown, we had to innovate and adapt to keep ourselves fit. I’m glad things worked out for me and I kept my weight off.”
Jhajharia, who currently holds the world record with a throw of 65.71m, is not only eyeing his third gold but also wants to improve his record in the Paralympics. “Javelin throw is an individual sport, therefore, whatever needs to be done you have to do it. My target for Paralympics is 67-69m.”
Interestingly, in both Athens (62.15m) and Rio (63.97m), Jhajharia won gold by setting new world records.
Khel Ratna awardee Jhajharia will compete at the same ground where Neeraj Chopra created history for India on August 7. He said he would gain confidence from the performance of his fellow javelin thrower.
“I am very happy and proud that she is an Indian and I am excited that I will gain confidence from her performance when I go there to attend my event on the track.”
‘Everyone will be watching you’
Mental health has been a topic that has come under discussion during the recently concluded Olympic Games. While Simone Biles withdrew from the individual all-around gymnastics final due to concerns about her mental health, British Olympic champion Adam Peaty announced a mental health break after defending the men’s 100m breaststroke title. Asked if he is facing any pressure ahead of the Olympics, he said, “You have to be mentally strong. First, there is the Covid pandemic and then it is the Olympics of all events, everyone is watching you. I have the same confidence with which I won gold medals in Athens and Rio and will try to win gold and set a world record here too.”
During this chat, Jhajharia also shared memories of his first Olympic Games in 2004, when he was a college student, and his father’s visit to see him off. He reminisced how his father’s words came true over the years.
“At that time, not many people knew about the Paralympics. My father then said, ‘If you do well, you will get recognition from everyone, from the people to the government, and the time will come when Paralympians will be treated as equals.’
“Their dreams have come true now as the government is helping Paralympians and para-sports, there is also the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) scheme, the media has also covered the Paralympics a lot. There is a huge difference between the 2004 and 2021 Paralympics.
The Tokyo Paralympics will begin on August 24 and will go on till September 5 and Jhajharia will enter on August 30.
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