JAKARTA, OCT 09,
Javelin thrower Sandeep Chaudhary produced a stunning world-record effort as India bagged 11 medals, including three gold, at the Asian Para Games.
Sandeep clinched India’s first gold in the men’s F42-44/61-64 category, before middle-distance runner Rakshitha Raju (women’s T11 1500m) and swimmer Jadhav Suyash Narayan (men’s S7 50m butterfly) added the yellow metals later.
Sandeep took the top spot with a best throw of 60.01m, which he managed in his third attempt. He also shattered the F44 world record, bettering the earlier mark of 59.82, set by China’s Mingjie Gao in 1980.
There were two more silver with Ramya Shanmugam and Radha Venkatesh finishing second in women’s F46 javelin and women’s T12/13 1,500m respectively.
Swimming also fetched four medals for India. Besides, the gold from Jadhav, India won three bronze on Monday.
India also won a silver in para-powerlifting while shooting para sport gave the country a silver and a bronze. India now has three gold, six silver and seven bronze medals and is in the eighth spot.
China is on top with 35 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze, followed by South Korea with 14 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze.
“For the Asian Para Games, I had a very good preparation and with a world record I have won a gold medal and I’m really happy with that,” a beaming Chaudhary said after his event.
In the women’s T11 1500m race, Rakshitha clocked 5 minute 40.64 seconds to clinch the gold. Her disability falls in T11 category which relates to very low visual acuity and/or no light perception.
Jadhav clinched the gold in men’s S7 50m butterfly by clocking 32.72 seconds. Yang Hong of China was second with 33.54 while Payungsakul Boonyarit of Thailand took the bronze in 38.09.
