Tokyo Paralympics: India’s Mariyappan Thangavelu Wins Silver, Sharad Kumar Takes Bronze In Men’s High Jump
India’s Mariyappan Thangavelu and Sharad Kumar won the silver and bronze medals respectively in the High Jump T42 Final at the Tokyo Paralympics, taking India’s medal tally to 10.
Mariyappan cleared 1.86m while the American gold winner Sam Grewe succeeded in soaring above 1.88m in his third attempt and Sharad Kumar took the bronze with an effort of 1.83.
Mariyappan had won the gold medal in Rio Paralympics in 2016, cleared 1.86m, and was looking good for a gold medal when Grewe took a chance at 1.88 and cleared it.
Mariyappan, whose leg was crushed by a vehicle when he was on his way to school in his village in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, went for 1.88 but could not clear it in the three attempts that he got.
#TokyoParalympics, High Jump: Mariyappan Thangavelu (Sport Class T42) wins silver, Sharad Kumar (Sport Class T42) takes bronze pic.twitter.com/Iax2HFDZ3m
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2021
Sharad took the bronze with an effort of 1.83. Hailing from Patna, Bihar, Sharad suffered paralysis in his left leg as a two-year-old after being administered a spurious polio vaccine. He is a two-time Asian Para Games gold-medallist.
The T42 classification is for athletes with a leg deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power, or impaired passive range of movement in the legs. The athletes compete in a standing position.
Varun Bhati’s campaign, however, ended in disappointment as he failed to clear the 1.80m mark in three attempts. He ended seventh out of nine competitors.
Our Paralympians continue to make us proud! India is delighted by the success of Mariyappan Thangavelu and Sharad Kumar for winning silver and bronze medals respectively in men's high jump at #Paralympics. Your resolve and perseverance are an inspiration for all. Congratulations!
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 31, 2021
