ndia’s Mahendra Gurjar created history at the Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland by setting a new world record of 61.17 meters in the men’s javelin F42 category. His third attempt outshined his previous throws of 56.11m and 55.51m, and he went on to deliver three more impressive throws: 58.54m, 57.54m, and 58.07m.
Breaking a Long-Standing Record
Gurjar broke the earlier world record of 59.19 meters, which was set by Brazil’s Roberto Floriani Edenilson in 2022. The F42 category includes athletes with moderate movement impairments in one leg and is part of field events like javelin and long jump.
Gold Medal in a Combined Event
Although the event featured multiple categories like F40, F57, F63, and F64, Gurjar emerged as the gold medalist in the F42 classification, thanks to his record-breaking performance.
Second Gold in Long Jump Debut
Adding to his success, Gurjar also won gold in the long jump T42 category with a 5.59-meter jump. This was his first time competing in long jump, and with this victory, he became the number one ranked long jumper in Asia in his category.
F42 Category Excluded from Major Events
Despite his achievements, Gurjar won’t compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympics or the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games as the F42 category is not included in either event.
Sumit Antil Shines with Gold in F64 Javelin
Fellow Indian athlete Sumit Antil also won gold, achieving a 72.35-meter throw in the men’s javelin F64 category, which is for athletes with leg impairments or limb differences. His performance added to India’s medal tally and global recognition in para sports.