Devendra Jhajharia facts for kids
Devendra Jhajharia with his gold medal from the 2016 Summer Paralympics
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| Nationality | Indian | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 10 June 1981 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  India |
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| Sport | Para-Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | F46 Javelin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Sunil Tanwar | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paralympic finals | 2004 2016 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Devendra Jhajharia is a famous Indian athlete who competes in the Paralympics. He is a javelin thrower in the F46 category. This means he competes with athletes who have similar physical challenges. Devendra is known for being the first Indian Paralympic athlete to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games.
He won his first gold medal in javelin throw at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens. He then won a second gold medal in the same event at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. He even broke his own world record there! Devendra is India's most successful Paralympic athlete. He earned his third medal, a silver, at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. In 2024, he was chosen to be the president of the Paralympic Committee of India.
Contents
Devendra's Early Life and Start in Sports
Devendra Jhajharia was born on June 10, 1981, in a place called Churu, Rajasthan, in India. When he was eight years old, he had a serious accident. He touched a live electric wire while climbing a tree. Because of this, doctors had to remove his left hand.
Even after this, Devendra did not give up on his dreams. In 1997, a coach named R. D. Singh saw him playing sports at a school event. Coach Singh, who had won a special award called the Dronacharya Award, started training Devendra. Devendra has often said that Coach Singh was very important to his success, especially for his first Paralympic gold medal. Since 2015, Devendra has been coached by Sunil Tanwar.
Devendra's Amazing Sports Career
Devendra's journey in sports has been full of incredible achievements.
First Big Wins
In 2002, Devendra won a gold medal at the 8th FESPIC Games held in South Korea. This was a big step for him.
Paralympic Gold Medals
His biggest moment came in 2004 when he went to the Summer Paralympic Games in Athens. There, he threw the javelin an amazing 62.15 meters. This was a new world record! This throw earned him his first gold medal. He became only the second Indian to win a gold medal at the Paralympics.
He continued to shine in 2016 at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. He won another gold medal in the men's javelin throw F46 event. He even broke his own world record from 2004 with a throw of 63.97 meters!
World Championships and Other Medals
Devendra also did very well at the IPC Athletics World Championships.
- In 2013, he won a gold medal in Lyon, France.
- In 2015, he won a silver medal in Doha, even though he threw a great distance.
He also won a silver medal at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea. In 2016, he won another gold medal at the IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championship in Dubai.
Tokyo Paralympics Silver
On August 30, 2021, Devendra added another medal to his collection. He won a silver medal in the men's javelin throw F46 event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo. Another Indian athlete, Sundar Singh Gurjar, won a bronze medal in the same event.
Devendra's Personal Life
Devendra Jhajharia used to work for the Indian Railways. Now, he works for the Rajasthan Forest Department. His wife, Manju, was also a talented athlete; she used to play kabaddi at a national level. Devendra and Manju have two children, a daughter named Jiya and a son named Kavyan. Devendra was raised by Jevani Devi and Ram Singh Jhajharia.
Devendra's Awards and Recognition
Devendra Jhajharia has received many important awards for his achievements:
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (2017) - This is India's highest sporting honor.
- FICCI Para-Sportsperson of the Year (2014)
- Padma Shri (2012) - He was the first Paralympic athlete to receive this award.
- Arjuna Award (2004)
- Padma Bhushan (2022) - This is one of India's highest civilian awards.
See also
In Spanish: Devendra Jhajharia para niños
- India at the Paralympics
