Indian para-athlete Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, a world champion in shot put, claimed the silver medal in the men’s F46 shot put event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old delivered an impressive throw of 16.32 meters, setting a new Asian record with his second attempt.
Canada’s Greg Stewart retained his Paralympic title with a season-best throw of 16.38 meters, narrowly edging out Khilari.
Croatia’s Luka Bakovic rounded out the podium, securing bronze with a personal best of 16.27 meters.
Meanwhile, India’s Mohd Yasser and Rohit Kumar finished eighth and ninth, with throws of 14.21 meters and 14.10 meters, respectively.
The F46 classification is reserved for athletes with arm impairments, such as those with amputations either above or below the elbow.
Khilari, hailing from a farmer’s family in Sangli, Maharashtra, sustained an impairment in his left hand following a childhood accident when he fell off a bicycle.
Despite the setback, he pursued both academic and athletic excellence. Sachin is not only a successful para-athlete but also a mechanical engineer and a mentor, assisting students in their preparation for the Maharashtra (MPSC) and Union (UPSC) Public Service Commission exams.
Khilari attributed India’s success to the athletes’ ability to thrive under pressure on the global stage. “Indians are warriors,” Khilari said. “We come well-prepared and are confident performing on the big stage, which gives us an edge.”
Notably, Khilari’s distinctive headband, which he calls his “warrior’s uniform,” has become symbolic of his tenacity.
He humorously added that he wears it to manage his sweat, a tip that came from his coach and has since become part of his competitive routine. “It worked,” he remarked after his silver medal performance. “I have a medal.”
Khilari’s journey in para sports began in 2015, and since then, he has dominated the field. He is a two-time defending champion and clinched gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games.
Earlier this year, Khilari made headlines by defeating Greg Stewart for gold at the Para World Championships. However, despite his silver in Paris, Khilari expressed a sense of unfinished business.
“I know I can do better,” he said. “I wanted another gold medal, but today wasn’t my day. Even though I achieved my personal best, I’m not satisfied. There’s more to come.”
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