Credits: X
Dharambir created a new Asian Record to clinch gold medal in the men’s club throw F51 event at Paris Paralympics 2024, whereas Pranav bagged the silver medal. The 35-year-old world championship bronze medallist from Sonipat, Dharambir hurled the club to a distance of 34.92 in his fifth attempt after four fouled attempts. On the other hand, another Indian, Soorma produced a throw of 35.49m in his first attempt but failed to get past Dharambir’s throw.
The third Indian in the competition, Amit Kumar Saroha finished last with a best effort of 23.96m. The bronze medal was won by Serbia’s Filip Graovac with his throw of 34.18m in his second attempt. With their medals, India recorded its best medal tally so far at the Paralympics with a total of 24 medals. India is now ranked 13th among the participating nations at the quadrennial multi-sport tournament.
Dharambir’s gold marked a historic podium finish for India, making him the first ever gold medallist in the Men’s Club Throw F51 event. Notably, the 35-year-old had previously secured a silver medal at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou in 2022. He was honoured with the Bhim Award in 2022, by the Government of Haryana. In the 2016 edition of the tournament, Dharambir finished the night and grabbed the eighth spot in the previous edition.
Pranav Soorma, on the other hand, secured gold in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. The 29-year-old from Faridabad was left paralysed after a spinal cord injury caused by a cement sheet which fell on him 13 years ago. Pranav won a silver at the 2019 Beijing Grand Prix, gold at the Serbia Open 2023 and both gold and silver at the Tunisia Grand Prix 2022.
