India got off the mark in the opening day of the World Para Athletics Championships with javelin thrower Sundar Singh Gujrar bagging gold in London on Friday.
The redemption was complete for Gujrar, who despite making the cut for Rio Paralympics last year, was unable to participate because he did not hear his roll-call. The 21-year-old also recorded a personal best, hurling the spear at a distance of 60.36m in F46.
Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha Herath finished second with a score of 57.93m while defending champion Guo Chunliang of China, despite recording his season’s best 56.14m, had to contend with the third spot.
Gurjar was in fine form coming into the event after winning a gold medal each in javelin throw, shot put and discus throw at the Fazza IPC Athletics Grand Prix. There are high hopes from the Indian para-athletes after winning two golds, silver and bronze each in the Paralympics last year. Veteran Devendra Jhajharia failed to qualify for the event.
India came agonisingly close to picking up two medals in the F46 event as 18-year-old Rinku Hooda came within touching distance of a medal but lost out to Chunliang by a distance of 1.02m.