India's Devendra Jhajharia broke his own world record to win gold in the men's javelin throw F46 event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Devendra won gold in the javelin event at the 2004 Athens Paralympics with a record throw of 62.15 metres. He became the second gold medallist at the Paralympics for India, and improved upon it with an attempt of 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium Engenhao, on Tuesday.
The 36 years old has been currently ranked third in the world. Devendra competed in the event alongside fellow Indians Rinku Hooda and Sundar Singh Gurjar. Rinku finished fifth with a personal best of 54.39 metres in six attempts, while Sundar Singh Gurjar didn't start the event.
Devendra took India at this edition of the Paralympics to four medals-two golds, one silver and a bronze.
The Rajasthan born athlete, with an amputated left hand, had been awarded the Arjuna award in 2004 and the Padma Shri in 2012, becoming the first Paralympian to receive the honour.
He was electrocuted while climbing a tree when he was eight years old and his left hand had to be amputated. But it never detered him from pursuing his dreams. The track and field star won gold at the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Lyon in 2013.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ankur Dhama failed to qualify from the men's 1,500 m - T11 Round 1 event securing the 11th spot among 17 athletes. He took a time of 4:37.61 to finish his race but it wasn't enough as the first six qualified for the next round.
Swimmer Suyash Jadhav couldn't qualify for the final round of the men's 200 metre Individual Medley competition. Jadhav trailed from the start and finished his heat sixth among as many swimmers with a time of 3 minute 1.05 seconds.
The 22 years old Maharashtrian was 10th in the overall standings among 12 swimmers. The best eight athletes progressed to the final round.
Shot putter Deepa Malik confirmed India's third medal at the Paralympic Games. Deepa Malik clinched a silver medal in the women's shotput F53 event, with a personal best throw of 4.61 metres.
Also Read: Rio Paralympics: M. Thangavelu Clinches Gold, Varun Bhati Bronze in High Jump
By Prakriti Neogi
