Who is Ajeet Singh Yadav, the train accident survivor who clinched Paralympics javelin silver with a 65.62m throw?
Ajeet Singh Yadav won silver in men¡¯s F46 javelin at the Paris Paralympics with a personal best throw of 65.62m. After losing his left arm in a 2017 train accident, Yadav's determination led him to international success. His teammate Sundar Gurjar took bronze, marking a proud moment for Indian para-athletics.
Ajeet Singh Yadav, hailing from Nagla Bidhi village in Uttar Pradesh¡¯s Etawah district, clinched the silver medal in Tuesday's men¡¯s F46 javelin throw event at the Paris Paralympics.
His remarkable performance came after a personal best throw of 65.62 meters, achieved in his fifth attempt, pushing him past teammate Sundar Singh Gurjar, who finished with the bronze.
This medal marks a significant moment in Ajeet¡¯s life, which took a dramatic turn following a tragic train accident in 2017 that resulted in the loss of his left arm below the elbow. His perseverance and dedication have been instrumental in his rise in the world of para-athletics.
On this significant occasion of Ajeet Singh Yadav's outstanding achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his efforts on social media.
"A phenomenal achievement by Ajeet Singh, as he wins the Silver medal in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 at the #Paralympics2024! His commitment to sports and perseverance have made India proud. #Cheer4Bharat," PM Modi's post on Facebook read.
Ajeet Singh Yadav's inspiring journey
Ajeet Singh Yadav's path to the Paralympic podium is a story of incredible resilience. The 30-year-old athlete was involved in a life-altering train accident on December 4, 2017.
Ajeet, who was 23 at the time, had been travelling with his junior Anshuman Singh after attending a wedding in Jabalpur. As they tried to board the Kamayani Express at Maihar station, Anshuman slipped, and Ajeet, in an attempt to save him, lost his balance and fell under the moving train. His left arm was crushed under the train's wheels.
Anshuman Singh, recalling the incident, spoke with The Indian Express: ¡°Ajeet sir tried to save me, and while he got hold of me, he lost his balance and we both fell. But then he fell towards the train and his left arm came under the wheels. Whenever I talked with him that he saved my life that day, Ajeet sir asks me not to speak and hugs me. Now that he will return with the silver medal, it will be my turn to hug him.¡±
Following the accident, Ajeet's recovery was long and challenging, but his determination never wavered. Training rigorously at the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) in Gwalior and later in Sonipat, Ajeet threw himself into para-athletics.
He is currently pursuing a PhD in Physical Education and Sports from LNIPE, Gwalior, and has dedicated his life to honing his javelin throw skills.
Ajeet Singh¡¯s rise in para-athletics
Ajeet¡¯s foray into para-athletics began after his accident, and his journey in the sport has been nothing short of extraordinary. His debut came in 2019 at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Beijing, where he won a gold medal in javelin. This victory marked the start of his international career, propelling him onto the world stage.
In 2020, Ajeet participated in the Summer Paralympics, where he finished fourth with a respectable throw of 62.11 meters. That same year, he claimed a bronze medal at the World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai. His streak of success continued into 2021 when he won another gold at the Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai.
Ajeet's most recent major triumph before the Paris Paralympics was at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, where he set a new record in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 category with a throw of 65.41 meters, surpassing the previous record of 61.89 meters held by China¡¯s Chunliang Guo.
Despite his victory in 2023, Ajeet faced a setback in 2024 at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, where he finished fourth with a best throw of 62.11 meters. His silver medal in Paris has now added another accolade to his growing list of achievements.
Sundar Gurjar secures bronze alongside Ajeet
Sundar Singh Gurjar, another talented para-athlete, claimed the bronze medal in the same event at the Paris Paralympics. Hailing from Rajasthan, Gurjar has had a remarkable career, bouncing back after a disappointing non-start at the 2016 Rio Paralympics to set a world record just six months later and win world titles in 2017 and 2019.
Gurjar¡¯s family recalls how he almost gave up after his Rio disappointment but remained determined to change his fortunes at the next Paralympics. His brother, Hari Om Gurjar, shared with The Indian Express, ¡°Jane se pehle bol ke gaya tha ki iss baar medal ka rang change kar ke ayega (Sundar had told us before going that he will change the colour of the medal this time).¡±
Sundar Gurjar¡¯s recent form has been impressive, especially after setting a world record throw of 68.60 meters at the 2022 Para Asian Games in Hangzhou. Though Ajeet Yadav edged him out for the gold at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, Sundar continues to be a dominant force in the sport.
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Kumar Debvrat is a copyeditor at Indiatimes, combining trending topics in India with unique human-interest stories. He has a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, enjoying both cricket and comic book movies.
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