Devendra Jhajharia, Paralympic Javelin Thrower
Paralympic Javelin Thrower

Devendra Jhajharia

Born 10 June 1981 · Rajasthan

First Indian Paralympian to win two gold medals in javelin throw at the Paralympics.

Devendra Jhajharia is an Indian Paralympic javelin thrower competing in F46 events. He is the first Indian Paralympics player to win two gold medals at the Paralympics. He won his first gold in the javelin throw at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, becoming the second gold medalist at the Paralympics for his country. At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, he won a second gold medal in the same event, bettering his previous record.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Devendra Jhajharia is the only Indian Paralympian to have improved his own world record twice, first in 2004 and again in 2016.

The Story

1
In 1989, eight-year-old Devendra Jhajharia accidentally touched a live 11,000-volt electric cable in Churu, Rajasthan, resulting in the amputation of his left hand after medical intervention.
2
🌟 In 2004, at the Athens Summer Paralympics, Devendra set a new world record in the F46 javelin throw category with a distance of 62.15 meters, winning gold and becoming only India's second Paralympic gold medalist.
3In 2013, he clinched gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France, reinforcing his dominance in the F46 javelin event.
4🥇 At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, he broke his own world record by throwing 63.97 meters, securing his second Paralympic gold medal in the F46 javelin throw.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Shri

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

At age eight, Jhajharia was declared dead after his electric shock accident but revived and went on to become a world-record Paralympic athlete.

🖼️

Through the Years

2 photographs from the archives
Devendra Jhajharia being felicitated by Union Minister Sis Ram Ola for Athens gold medal in New Delhi (2004)
Devendra Jhajharia being felicitated by Union Minister Sis Ram Ola for Athens gold medal in New Delhi (2004)
2004
Devendra Jhajharia holding his gold medal from the Rio 2016 Paralympics (2016)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Churu, Rajasthan
Devendra Jhajharia was born in the desert town of Churu, Rajasthan, beginning the life of a future Paralympic athlete.
1981
🌟
Other
Electric shock causes amputation
At age eight, Devendra touched a live 11,000-volt cable and lost his left hand after medical intervention.
1989
⚡
Career
Gold at FESPIC Games
Jhajharia won gold in the 8th FESPIC Games in South Korea, marking his rise in para-athletics.
2002
⚡
Career
First Paralympic gold, world record
In Athens, he threw 62.15 meters to win gold and break the F46 javelin world record.
2004
⚡
Career
Gold at IPC World Championships
Jhajharia won the F46 javelin gold at Lyon, France, cementing his status internationally.
2013
⚡
Career
Second Paralympic gold, new world record
At Rio, Devendra improved his own world record with a 63.97m throw, winning gold again.
2016
⚡
Career
Silver at Tokyo Paralympics
He won silver in the men’s javelin F46 event, adding a third Paralympic medal to his collection.
2021
🌟
Other
Elected President of Paralympic Committee
Devendra was chosen to lead the Paralympic Committee of India, influencing para-sports governance.
2024
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

In 2004, Jhajharia became only the second Indian Paralympic gold medalist after Murlikant Petkar, throwing 62.15 meters to set a new world record.

02 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He was the first Paralympian to receive the Padma Shri award in 2012, breaking a barrier for athletes with disabilities in India.

03 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Jhajharia is a former Indian Railways employee and now works with the Rajasthan Forest Department, showing his life beyond athletics.

“

"He gives me a lot of advice and helps me during training."

— Devendra Jhajharia

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Fit India Dialogue: Devendra Jhajharia narrates his journey to making India proud on world stage
More from this archive
Fit India Dialogue: Devendra Jhajharia narrates his journey to making India proud on world stage
01
Fit India Dialogue: Devendra Jhajharia narrates his journey to making India proud on world stage
Devendra Jhajharia shares his 'Dil Ki Baat' with PM Modi...Watch!
02
Devendra Jhajharia shares his 'Dil Ki Baat' with PM Modi...Watch!
Trailblazers conclave || Know your panelists || Devendra Jhajharia
03
Trailblazers conclave || Know your panelists || Devendra Jhajharia
Javelin Thrower Who Won Gold In Olympics Before Neeraj Chopra | Devendra Jhajharia | Josh Talks
04
Javelin Thrower Who Won Gold In Olympics Before Neeraj Chopra | Devendra Jhajharia | Josh Talks
Qualified: Devendra Jhajharia broke his own world record and got Paralympic ticket | Sports Arena |
05
Qualified: Devendra Jhajharia broke his own world record and got Paralympic ticket | Sports Arena |
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia wins gold at Rio Paralympics | Thanthi TV
06
Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia wins gold at Rio Paralympics | Thanthi TV
Devendra Jhajharia wins another Gold for India and marks in history for Javelin Throw | Polimer News
07
Devendra Jhajharia wins another Gold for India and marks in history for Javelin Throw | Polimer News
Atul Vidyalaya - Annual Day 2016 - Mr. Devendra Jhajharia
08
Atul Vidyalaya - Annual Day 2016 - Mr. Devendra Jhajharia
devendra jhajharia||Break the world record||with one arm||motivational video.
09
devendra jhajharia||Break the world record||with one arm||motivational video.
Khel Ratna: Sardar Singh, Para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia recommended for the honour
10
Khel Ratna: Sardar Singh, Para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia recommended for the honour

🌱 What changed because of them

Devendra Jhajharia's victories brought unprecedented attention to Paralympic sports in India, leading to increased support from organizations like Olympic Gold Quest. His election as president of the Paralympic Committee of India in 2024 signals a shift towards greater institutional backing and development for para-athletes nationwide. His success also helped pave the way for national honors such as the Padma Shri and Khel Ratna to recognize Paralympic athletes.

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