Paris Paralympics 2024: Asian Record-Breaking Dharambir Wins Gold, Pranav Takes Silver in Men's F51 Club Throw

Add as a preferred source on Google

It was a double podium finish again for India in Paris Paralympics 2024 on Wednesday (September 4) as Dharambir broke the Asian record to win the gold medal and his compatriot Pranav Soorma clinched the silver in the men's F51 event.

After four fouled attempts, the 35-year-old world championships bronze medallist from Sonepat, Dharambir hurled the club to a distance of 34.92m in his fifth attempt to claim the top spot on the podium.

In his sixth and final attempt, Dharambir, who is paralyzed from the waist down, threw a distance of 31.59m. However, his fifth attempt proved to be the deciding distance in the end as none of the other competitors could surpass 34.92m.

Soorma, who injured his spinal chord at 16 when a cement sheet fell on his head, then produced a throw of 34.59m in his first attempt but the 29-year-old from Faridabad couldn't better and get past Dharambir as India completed a one-two.

The third Indian in the fray, 2017 world championship silver medallist, trailblazing Indian para-athlete Amit Kumar Saroha, however, finished last with a best effort of 23.96m. Serbia's Filip Graovac bagged the bronze, courtesy a 34.18m throw in his second attempt.

The F51 club throw event is for athletes who have movement affected to a high degree in the trunk, legs and hands. All the competitors compete while seated and rely on their shoulders and arm to generate power.

Dharambir and Soorma's medals were the 23rd and 24th for India at Paris Paralympics 2024. The duo's gold and silver is also took the para athletics medal tally to 13, the highest medal-contributing sport for India in Paralympics.

Earlier on Wednesday (September 4), World Champion Sachin Khilari had won the silver medal in men's shot put F46 event by setting an Asian record with a distance of 16.32m.

Also, Simran Sharma qualified for the semifinal women's 100m T12 event with a season best timing of 12.17. She will compete in the semifinal and final (if qualified) on Thursday (September 5).