Devendra Jhajharia becomes first para-athlete to receive Padma Bhushan

The 40-year-old javelin thrower receives India’s third-highest civilian award from President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Published : Mar 21, 2022 21:45 IST , New Delhi

Devendra Jhajharia won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw F46 event at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
Devendra Jhajharia won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw F46 event at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
lightbox-info

Devendra Jhajharia won the silver medal in the men’s javelin throw F46 event at the Tokyo Olympics last year.

Devendra Jhajharia on Monday became the first para athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award. The 40-year-old javelin thrower received the prestigious award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Jhajharia is a multiple-time Paralympics medal winner. He won his maiden gold medal during the 2004 Paralympics in Athens and his second Olympic gold at the Rio Games in 2016. At the Tokyo Olympics, he won a silver medal. Jhajharia competes in F46 events in the Paralympics and was among the four Paralympic medallists to be conferred with the Padma awards this year.

Tokyo Paralympics double medallist shooter Avani Lekhara received the Padma Shri for her excellent performance last year. Lekhara won a gold medal in the 10m air rifle standing event and a bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions event.

ALSO READ - Paralympian Dharambir to lead Indian team at Fazza-Dubai para athletics GP

Sumit Anil and Pramod Bhagat were the other Paralympic stars to be conferred with the honour.

The fact that his award was significant for para sports was not lost on Jhajharia.

“This is the first time a para athlete has got the Padma Bhushan, and I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this. Now I will have more responsibility towards the country, to win more medals for India. To the youth, I will say work hard. One minute of work will not get you anything. I have worked hard for the past 20 years, 2002 was the first time I won a gold medal,” he said.

Lekhara tweeted: “Honoured and grateful to be awarded the Padma Shri. This award is a testament to not only my efforts, but the sacrifices of my family and the support of everyone involved in my career helping me achieve all I have. I look forward to representing the country with the same passion!”

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment