Dharambir breaks Asian record to win gold, Surma wins silver in club throw

Dharambir of Team India celebrates with fans after winning the Men’s Club Throw – F51 on day seven of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games at Stade de France in Paris, France on September 04, 2024. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Dharambir broke the Asian record to win the gold while his compatriot Pranav Surma won the silver as Indian club throwers dominated the men’s F51 event at the Paralympics here on Wednesday (September 4, 2024).

After four foul attempts, 35-year-old world championship bronze medallist Dharambir from Sonipat hurled the javelin to a distance of 34.92 metres in his fifth attempt to top the podium.

Surma, who suffered a spinal injury at the age of 16 when a cement sheet fell on his head, then produced a best throw of 34.59m in his first attempt but the 29-year-old from Faridabad could not overtake Dharambir and India secured the first-two positions.

However, the third Indian, 2017 World Championships silver medallist Amit Kumar, finished last with a best effort of 23.96m.

Serbia’s Filip Graovac won the bronze medal with a distance of 34.18 metres in his second attempt.

The F51 club throw event is for athletes with limited range of motion in their torso, legs and arms. All competitors compete from a seated position and rely on their shoulders and arms to generate power.