New Delhi:Not being there with his cancer-stricken father during his dying moments last year still rankles Devendra Jhajharia, who on Monday dedicated his third Paralympic medal to the man without whose encouragement, he wouldn't have competed at the ongoing Games.
The 40-year-old javelin thrower, already India's greatest Paralympian after winning gold medals in the 2004 and 2016 Games, pulled off a new personal best throw of 64.35m for the silver in F46 classification.
"Of course, this medal belongs to the people of the country but I also want to dedicate this to my late father (Ram Singh Jhajharia) who had wanted me to win another medal in the Paralympics," Jhajharia told PTI from Tokyo on Monday.
Read: Tokyo Paralympics: Devendra, Sundar win silver and bronze in F46 javelin throw
F46 classification is for athletes with arm deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired passive range of movement in arms. Jhajharia makes this cut owing to the left hand he lost after being electrocuted as an eight-year-old.
Jhajharia came to know about his father's illness while he was training at Sports Authority of India Centre in Gandhinagar last year.
He rushed home but his father sent him back to continue training as he wanted his son to win another medal at the Paralympics. The inspiration of Jhajharia's life died in October last year.
"I would not be here if it was not for my father's efforts. It was he who pushed me to train hard and win another medal. I am happy that today I have fulfilled his dream."
His father's death, at the time of which he was training, left him shattered and he was seen crying after winning a national level event.
On Monday, although he bettered his own earlier world record (63.97m) but gold winner Sri Lankan Dinesh Priyan Herath Mudiyanselage (67.79m) was too good for the entire field.