Khilari defends gold in men’s shot put F46, Dharambir bags bronze in the men’s club throw F51
KOBE, May 22: India’s Sachin Sarjerao Khilari defended his gold medal in the men’s shot put F46 category with an Asian record at the World Para Athletics Championship as the country surpassed its best-ever haul in the global competition here on Wednesday.
Dharambir claimed a bronze medal in the men’s club throw F51 category to take India’s tally to 12 medals (five gold, four silver and three bronze) and maintain their third spot in the standings behind China (18-16-14) and Brazil (17-8-5).
Sachin’s gold earlier in the day bettered India’s previous best tally of 10 (3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze) in the 2023 edition in Paris.
Sachin heaved the iron ball to a distance of 16.30 metres, bettering his own Asian record of 16.21 metres set during the World Para Athletics Championship in Paris last year. His effort also earned him a place in Paris Paralympics.
The F46 category in para athletics events is for those with moderately affected movement in one or both arms or the absence of limbs. These athletes have to transmit power from hips and legs into the throw.
Sachin, who hails from Karagani village in Maharashtra’s Sangli district, he suffered a mishap during his school days leading to disability in his left arm.
The stocky 34-year-old lost his muscles from the elbow due to gangrene and despite multiple surgeries, his arm never recovered.
In the men’s club throw F51 final, Dharambir gradually improved his throws and propelled the club to a distance of 33.61 metres in his fifth and penultimate attempt to secure the bronze.
Zelijko Dimitrijevic of Serbia smashed the meet record with a throw of 34.20m to win the gold, while Mario Santana Hernandez of Mexico bagged the silver with a season’s best effort of 33.62m.
The men’s club throw F51 category is for para athletes with severe trunk and limb impairments.
Competitors throw a club from a seated position, relying solely on their arm and shoulder strength.
F51 classification is reserved for athletes with the most significant impairments in this category.
On Tuesday, India had reaped a rich haul of five medals to swell its tally to 10 (4 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze). China is currently leading the medals tally followed by Brazil.
The Hangzhou Asian Games gold-medallist thrower told PTI that he was confident of taking the top podium spot.
“I was expecting the gold here and I am happy. I have also qualified for Paris Olympics and hope to win gold there also,” Sachin said from Kobe.
With three more days still to go, India are in with a chance of winning a few more medals including gold and head coach Satyanarayan said he was quite optimistic.
“We are expecting two more gold medals and hoping to touch the 17-medal mark,” said Satyanarayan.
On Tuesday, Reigning Paralympics champion Sumit Antil had defended his F64 javelin throw world title, while Thangavelu Mariyappan and Ekta Bhyan also grabbed gold medals in their respective events as India jumped to third place in the World Para Athletics Championships here.
Antil, who had won gold medals in the Tokyo Paralympics and 2023 World Para Athletics Championships, sent his spear to a distance of 69.50m to stand on top of the podium.
The 25-year-old Haryana athlete thus continued his global domination in the F64 javelin event. He is the current world record holder also, courtesy his massive 73.29m throw while winning gold in the Para Asian Games in Hangzhou, China last year.
He also holds the World Para Athletics Championships record of 70.83m which he had produced while winning the gold in the last edition in Paris in 2023.
Compatriot Sandeep won the bronze medal in the same event with a throw of 60.41m. Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku took the silver with a throw of 66.49m. (PTI)