Indian para-javelin thrower Navdeep Singh, who won the gold medal in the javelin throw F41 category at the Paris Paralympic Games, had the opportunity to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. Navdeep, who hails from Haryana, presented a cap to the Prime Minister and also requested him to sign his kit. PM Modi obliged and signed an autograph on Navdeep’s left arm, which is his throwing arm.
During the interaction, PM Modi also asked Navdeep about the video that went viral following his triumph. “Have you seen your video or not. How do you perform with such aggression,” PM Modi asked. To which, Navdeep replied, “Last time (Tokyo Paralympics), I had finished fourth. Before leaving for Paris, I had promised you, so the promise has been fulfilled.”
Navdeep’s gold medal was upgraded from silver after the initial winner, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sadegh Beit Sayah, got disqualified from the final. Navdeep had initially finished second with a season-best throw of 47.32m, while Sadegh, before the disqualification, stood at the top with a Paralympic record of 47.64m.
In the jam-packed Stade de France, it was a redemption arc for Navdeep after he finished fourth in Tokyo. Navdeep was second in order among the six participants and started his campaign in the final with a foul attempt. He failed to stop the momentum and fell over the line, which resulted in a foul attempt.
In his third attempt, Navdeep dug deep and delivered his season best with a massive 47.32m throw and moved to the top spot. He maintained his lead till the end and eventually won the gold medal.
Navdeep’s victory is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has overcome many challenges in his life, including a childhood accident that left him with a disability. But he has never given up on his dreams, and his success is an inspiration to us all.
