 "Dharambir won a gold medal at the Paris Paralympics. Image: X")
Dharambir broke the Asian record to win the gold medal in men’s club throw F51 event at the Paris Paralympics on Wednesday (September 4).
His surge to the top of the standings came in dramatic fashion. After four fouled attempts, the 35-year-old world championships bronze medallist from Sonepat, hurled the club to a distance of 34.92m in his fifth attempt to claim the top spot on the podium.
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.
And Dharambir’s life-altering moment came as a youngster when he misjudged a dive into a canal which left him paralyzed from the waist down. But, para-sports gave him a new direction in life when he was introduced to it by fellow para-athlete Amit Kumar Saroha.
Within two years, Dharambir qualified for the 2016 Rio Paralympics, marking the beginning of a successful career. He has since earned multiple medals for India, including a silver at the 2022 Asian Para Games.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn recognition of his outstanding performances in national and international tournaments, Dharambir was honoured with the Bhim Award in 2022, the highest sports honour awarded by the Government of Haryana.
Achievements:
Paralympics (2024): Gold Medal
Asian Para Games (2022) - Silver Medal
Asian Para Games (2018) - Silver Medal
World Para Athletics Championship (2024) - Bronze Medal