Devendra Jhajharia

Born to a Jat couple, Ram Singh Jhajharia and Jivani Devi in the Churu District of Rajasthan, Devendra Jhajharia's early life was marked by typical childhood mischief and enthusiasm. However, at the tender age of eight, his life took a dramatic turn when an innocent climb up a tree resulted in a life-altering accident—he inadvertently touched an 11000-volt live cable.

The aftermath of the accident saw Jhajharia grappling with the reality of his disability. Despite the challenges, his spirit remained undeterred, and he resolved to overcome his limitations. Encouraged by his resilience, he delved into javelin throw during his school years, displaying remarkable prowess that caught the attention of coach Ripudaman Singh at a para-athletics competition in 1997.

Under the guidance of Dr. Satpal Singh, a Dronacharya awardee, Jhajharia embarked on a rigorous training regimen, focusing on specialised dumb-bell exercises to fortify his arms without creating a lopsided strength imbalance. This dedication and strategic training paved the way for his international success in the early 2000s.

At the age of 23, Jhajharia made history at the Athens 2004 Paralympics, clinching the gold medal in the F46 javelin throw category with a record-breaking throw of 62.15m, surpassing the previous world record. Despite this triumph, his journey to further Paralympic glory faced obstacles, as his event category was excluded from subsequent Paralympic programs in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.

Undeterred by setbacks, Jhajharia remained steadfast in his pursuit of excellence, patiently awaiting his opportunity to shine on the world stage once more. Finally, at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, he seized the moment, securing his second gold medal and surpassing his own world record with an astonishing throw of 63.97m.

With this remarkable achievement, Devendra Jhajharia etched his name in history as the first and only Indian to claim two gold medals at the Paralympics, solidifying his status as one of the nation's most decorated Paralympians. Alongside the likes of Murlikant Petkar and Mariyappan Thangavelu, he stands as a beacon of inspiration and resilience in the world of Indian para-sport, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of millions.

Now, checking his luck in politics, he will contest elections from the Churu Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 general elections on the Bharatiya Janta Party ticket.