Devendra Jhajharia

Athlete

Indian Rajgarh, Churu District, Rajasthan

Quick Info

ProfessionAthlete
NationalityIndian
Date of Birth10/06/1981
Age44 years
BirthplaceRajgarh, Churu District, Rajasthan

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Bio/Wiki

Devendra Jhajharia is an Indian Paralympic javelin thrower competing in the F46 category. He lost his left hand in a childhood electrical accident at age 8 when he touched an 11,000-volt live cable while climbing a tree. Despite this setback, he became the first Indian to win two Paralympic gold medals and is widely regarded as India's most successful Paralympic athlete.

Physical Stats & More

Height6' (183 cm)
Eye ColorBlack
Hair ColorBlack

Educational Qualification(s)

SchoolGovernment High School, Ratanpura, Churu, Rajasthan
CollegeNMPG College, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan
DegreeBachelor of Arts

Personal Life

ReligionHinduism
HobbiesTravelling

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried
Children1

Family

FatherRam Singh Jhajharia
MotherJivani Devi
Siblings
  • Arvind Jhajharia
  • Pradeep Jhajharia

Career

Athletics
EventF46 Javelin
International Debut2002 at the Para-Asian Games in Busan, South Korea
Coach/MentorSunil Tanwar (since 2015)
Records/Achievements
  • Gold medal at the 2002 Para-Asian Games
  • Gold at the 2004 Athens Paralympics
  • Arjuna Award in 2004
  • Padma Shree Award in 2012
  • Gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics
  • Padma Bhushan (Sports) 2022
  • Gold medal at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon
  • Silver medal at the 2014 Asian Para Games in Incheon
  • Silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
  • India's most decorated Paralympic player with three medals
  • Gold medal at the 2002 FESPIC Games
  • Padma Shri Award in 2012 (first Paralympic athlete to receive this honour)
  • Gold at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships
  • Gold at the 2016 IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championship
  • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2017
  • Padma Bhushan in 2022
  • First Indian Paralympian to win two gold medals
  • India's most decorated Paralympic athlete with three medals
Career Turning Point2004 Athens Paralympics - Gold in Javelin Throw F46
World Records63.97 metres in F46 Javelin (set at 2016 Rio Paralympics)
Politics
PartyBharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Political JourneyLost the Churu Lok Sabha seat to Rahul Kaswan of the Indian National Congress by 72,737 votes in 2024
Administrative
PositionPresident of the Paralympic Committee of India (elected 2024)

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. He hails from Churu, Rajasthan.
2. At age 9, he experienced a severe accident resulting in the amputation of his left hand.
3. He began practicing Javelin Throw using a hand-made wooden Javelin.
4. In 2004, he was honored with the Arjuna Award by the Government of India.
5. He clinched a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and set a world record.
6. In 2012, he was bestowed with the Padma Shri by the Indian Government.
7. Following his triumph in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, he became the first Indian Paralympian to secure 2 gold medals.
8. In 2021, he set a new world record of 65.71 meters, earning a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
9. At age 8 or 9, he experienced a severe accident resulting in the amputation of his left hand when electrocuted while climbing a tree.
10. He is the first Indian Paralympics player to win two gold medals at the Paralympics.
11. He is one of only three Indian sportspersons to win an individual gold medal at an Olympic/Paralympic event.
12. At age 8, he experienced a severe accident resulting in the amputation of his left hand when electrocuted while climbing a tree and touching an 11,000-volt live cable.
13. He was previously coached by R.D. Singh (Ripudaman Singh) before Sunil Tanwar took over as his coach in 2015.
14. His event category (F46) was excluded from the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Paralympic programs.
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