Sachin Khilari Wins Silver in Shot Put at Paris 2024 Paralympics

India’s Sachin Sarjerao Khilari secured the silver medal in the men’s shot put F46 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The 34-year-old athlete threw an impressive 16.32 meters, setting a new Asian record on his second attempt. This achievement highlights his incredible skill and determination.

A Tight Competition

The battle for gold was intense. Canada’s Greg Stewart, who defended his title, won with a season-best throw of 16.38 meters, just 0.06 meters ahead of Khilari. Croatia’s Luka Bakovic earned the bronze medal with a personal best of 16.27 meters. Two other Indian athletes, Mohd Yasser and Rohit Kumar, finished in eighth and ninth place with throws of 14.21 meters and 14.10 meters, respectively.

The F46 category includes athletes with arm impairments, such as those with above or below elbow amputations. Competing in this challenging class, Khilari’s performance was nothing short of remarkable.

An Inspiring Journey

Sachin Khilari’s path to the Paralympics is inspiring. Born into a farming family in Sangli, Maharashtra, Sachin lost the use of his left hand after a bicycle accident in his school days. Despite this setback, he continued his education and became a mechanical engineer. He also helps students prepare for public service exams, showing his commitment to giving back to society.

Khilari was introduced to para sports in 2015 and has never looked back. He is a two-time reigning champion and won gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games. Earlier this year, he even defeated Greg Stewart to claim the gold at the Para World Championships.

India’s Medal Count Grows

With Khilari’s silver medal, India’s total medal count at the Paris 2024 Paralympics reached 21, surpassing their previous record of 19 medals from Tokyo 2020. This was also India’s 11th medal in para athletics at these Games.

Speaking on India’s success, Khilari said, “Indians are warriors. We are well prepared to do our best on a huge platform. We are comfortable on the big stage, so I think that gives us an advantage.”

A Warrior’s Mindset

Khilari’s signature headband is an essential part of his preparation, which he calls his “warrior’s uniform.” He explained that his coach suggested it to manage sweat, and it’s now become a symbol of his fighting spirit.

While proud of his performance, Khilari is eager for more. “I feel I can do better. I wanted another gold after winning the world title in May, but it wasn’t my day. This was my personal best, which is great, but I know I can do better next time,” he said.

Khilari also praised Greg Stewart’s performance and said he needs to work harder to beat him next time. “Greg is very good. He had a great competition. I made a few mistakes today in my technique. But I will definitely beat him next time.”

The Road Ahead

Sachin Khilari’s silver medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is a huge achievement, but it’s clear that he’s hungry for even more success. With his determination, India can look forward to more victories from this incredible athlete.