Rio Paralympics: Who is history-maker Devendra Jhajharia?

New Delhi, Sep 14: Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia's name is on everyone's lips today after he bagged a gold medal for India in the ongoing Rio 2016 Paralympics in men's F46 event.

Devendra Jhajharia wins gold at Rio; Full list of Indians at Paralympics

Like every Paralympian, Jhajharia's journey is an inspiration to everyone. He became the first Indian athlete to bag second gold at the Paralympic Games.

Devendra, who won his previous gold in the 2004 Athens Games, bettered his own world record to finish on top. (Twitterati hail Devendra Jhajharia)

The 36-year-old's previous best was 62.15 metres (achieved in the 2004 Games), improved the mark with an attempt of 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao).

He was India's flag-bearer at Rio Paralympics opening ceremony.

Here is a brief profile of Jhajharia:

Date of birth: August 28, 1980

# Won his previous gold in the 2004 Athens Games and became second Indian Paralympian from India to win a gold (first being Murlikant Petkar in 1972 for freestyle swimming).

# He hails from Rajasthan's Churu district.

# He had lost his left hand when he was electrocuted while climbing a tree as an eight-year-old.

# Jhajharia continued to follow his dream and went on to achieve the Arjuna award in 2004 and the Padma Shri in 2012, becoming the first Paralympian to receive the honour.

# In 1997, while competing at a school sports day, he was spotted by Dronacharya Awardee coach RD Singh and from that point was coached by Singh.

# He won the gold at the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) Athletics World Championships in Lyon in 2013.

# He won a gold medal at the 2016 IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championship in Dubai in 2016.

# He last participated in the Paralympics 12 years ago as the F46 event did not feature in the 2008 and the 2012 editions.

# He is currently ranked third in the world.

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