Devendra Jhajharia is an Indian Paralympic #javelin thrower competing in #F46 events. He is first Indian Paralympian to win two gold medals at the #Paralympics. He won his first gold in the javelin throw at the 2004 #SummerParalympics in Athens, becoming only the second gold medallist at the Paralympics for India. At the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, he won the second gold medal in the same event, surpassing his previous record. President Shri Ramnath Kovind conferred on the #KhelRatna award to Devendra in 2017 for his extraordinary contribution to Indian sports. He is the first paralympian to receive this prestigious award. In an exclusive interview with T.I.W, Devendra while extolling Neeraj Chopra for winning the gold medal in #TokyoOlympics 2021 shares his view on the state of track and field sports in India.
#1. How do see Neeraj Chopra’s performance in Tokyo Olympics 2021?
Winning the gold medal in javelin throw in Tokyo Olympics 2021 accentuates Neeraj’s extraordinary performance in this sport and underscores his endeavour, passion, hard work, and singlemindedness to reach the acme at such a young age. This achievement will steer Indian youth to aspire for the track and field sports and showcase their talent to the world. Don’t see Neraj Chopra’s gold medal in isolation. It marks a new beginning in the Indian sports paradigm.
#2. What’s your take on sports facilities in the country?
Sport Authority of India (SAI) is primarily responsible for providing all kind of support required for a sportsperson in track and field sports. At different SAI centres, facilities and amenities are improved manifold. We are now having world-class coaches, equipment, and well-trained support staff. I can see the things will change for better in India and we can have more gold medallists in Olympics in times to come.
#3. What does matter on the D-Day?
While training and physical strength matter significantly for any sports, what’s the most important factor that differentiates the winners from others is the phychological wellbeing particularly on the match day. At the topmost level, all players perform equally good, but the most crucial aspect is the mental stability that clears your path for the winner. Not-giving-up attitude helps a player to catapult to the podium.
#4. What’s the role of government and family in making a sportsperson?
The government play an important role in sports arena in identifying the talent, nurturing them at early stage, providing them the best possible amenities to grow from strength to strength, and ensuring that the best talent to participate at the global level. While the government has major contribution towards fostering sportspersons, the family is the bedrock of relentless support & inspiration system to drive the person to rise early in sports career. Today, the success of Neeraj Chopra is a classic use case for the parents to think about supporting their children who are focused on sports and guiding them to achieve laurels.
