Devendra Jhajharia Biography (Para-Javelin Throw – India): Early Life, Career, Paralympics 2020, Family, Wife, Kids, Awards, Achievements, Records, Social Media
Table of Contents
Devendra Jhajharia Biography
DEVENDRA JHAJHARIA born on 10th June 1991 is an Indian Para-Javelin Throw player. He is the most successful Paralympic player in India and is the 1st Indian Para-athlete to win two gold medals at Paralympics. He competes in the F46 category (Athletes suffering from amputation above or below elbow compete in this category). With an experience of almost 30 years, Devendra is known for setting unbelievable records. He is the most inspiring para-athlete of India working at Sports Authority of India (SAI) as a coach. He is a former servant of Indian Railways and now works to create future Paralympians.
| Full Name | Devendra Jhajharia |
| Birthplace | Rajgarh, Churu, Rajasthan, India |
| Date of Birth | 10th June 1991 |
| Height | 183cm |
| Age | 40 years (as per 2021) |
| Nickname | – |
| Parent | Ram Singh Jhajharia (father) Jevani Devi (mother) |
| Spouse | Manju Jhajharia |
| Kids | Jiya Jhajaria (daughter) Kavyan Jhajharia (son) |
| Sport | Para-Javelin Throw |
Let’s dive deep into Devendra Jhajharia’s life and talk about Devendra Jhajharia’s Biography.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: EARLY LIFE
Devendra was born in a Rajgarh village of Churu district in Rajasthan, India to Ram Singh Jhajaria (father) and Jevani Devi (mother). He faced a severe injury at the age of 8 in which he lost his left hand. While climbing a tree, he accidentally touched an electrical wire of 11000 volts which made severe damage to his left hand and there was no other option for the doctors rather than, amputating it.
He was a sports enthusiast and was famous in his school for his performance in different sports including javelin throw. Devendra did his schooling at Government High School, Ratnapura, and graduated from NMPG College, Hanumangarh. In his career’s early phase, he practiced javelin using a normal stick on his farm. He grabbed the attention of R.D Singh during a sports event in his school while playing javelin throw. The coach was immensely impressed with his performance and decided to train Devendra under his guidance.
The coach R.D Singh helped in shaping his skills and providing him a deep knowledge of the Paralympics. Soon, he started competing in state and district competitions and was fortunate in earning huge fame at a small age. Devendra made his first international debut at the 2002 Asian Para Games. He had an astonishing performance throughout the championship and was fortunate to win a gold medal.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: CAREER
- Devendra made her first astonishing appearance at the 2002 FESPIC Games held in South Korea. He was successful in clinching his first gold at his first international appearance in the F46 category.
- His next astonishing was seen at the 2004 Summer Paralympics making a throw of 62.17m. He won the Paralympics with incredible gold and becoming India’s second gold medallist at Paralympics.
- For his constant gold medals in internationals, he was dignified with Arjuna Award in 2004.
- He was unfortunate in the Paralympics of 2008 and 2012. The F46 category was excluded in both the events because of which Devendra was unable to represent him at the Paralympics.
- His gold medal streak was achieved at the 2013 IPC World Championship. In the tournament, Devendra bagged a gold medal in the F46 category. The tournament was held in Lyon, France.
- In the consecutive year, he clinched silver at the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea.
- He was fortunate to clinch silver at the 2015 IPC World Championship despite making a throw of 59.06. Guo Chunliang secured gold for China in that tournament.
- At the 2016 IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championship, Devendra won a gold medal and had a drastic performance at the championship.
- In the same year, he was fortunate to break his world record of 62.17m throw with a new throw of 63.97m at the 2016 Summer Paralympics held in Rio de Janeiro. He won a gold medal for his astonishing throw in the championship.
- His international achievements helped him get qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: PARALYMPICS 2020
- Devendra had an astonishing performance throughout the 2020 Paralympics and was fortunate in grabbing silver for the country.
- Devendra was fortunate to clinch a silver medal in the F46 category making his personal best throw of 64.35m breaking his previous record. He was conquered by Herath Mudiyanselage of Sri Lanka who made a throw of 67.79m.
- His partner, Sundar Singh Gurjar bagged a bronze at the Paralympics.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: FAMILY
- Devendra was born in a farming family to Ram Singh Jhajharia (father) and Jevani Devi (mother).
- He has two younger brothers named Arvind and Pradeep Jhajharia.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: WIFE AND KIDS
- Devendra married Manju in 2007.
- His wife, Manju was a former kabaddi player who had represented her college at the national level.
- She dropped her career as an athlete to support his husband as look back to the family.
- The couple is blessed with a daughter, Jiya Jhajaria, and a son, Kavyan Jhajaria.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
- Arjuna Award – 2004.
- Padma Shri – 2012.
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award – 2017.
- 2004 Summer Paralympics – Gold.
- 2013 IPC World Championship – Gold.
- 2014 Asian Games – Silver.
- 2014 Asian Games – Silver.
- 2016 IPC Athletics Asia-Oceania Championship – Gold.
- 2016 Summer Paralympics – Gold.
- 2020 Tokyo Paralympics – Silver.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: RECORDS
- 1st Indian Paralympic player to grab two gold medals at the Paralympics.
- In 2004, he made a throw of 62.17m which was unbroken for 12 years but he broke his record at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Devendra Jhajharia Biography: SOCIAL MEDIA
- Instagram – @devendra_jhajharia_.
- Twitter – @DevJhajharia.
ये मेडल में मेरे स्वर्गवासी पिताजी को समर्पित करना चाहुंगा🙏💐 pic.twitter.com/VEDRJXFyDr
— Devendra Jhajharia (@DevJhajharia) August 30, 2021
