Devendra Jhajharia becomes first para athlete to receive Padma Bhushan | More sports News

NEW DELHI: The legendary Devendra Jhajharia on Monday grew to become the first para athlete to receive the Padma Bhushan, the nation’s third highest civilian award.
The 40-year-old Jhajharia acquired the distinguished award from President Ram Nath Kovind on the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Jhajharia is a multiple-time Paralympics medal winner, having received his maiden gold throughout the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, his second gold medal throughout the Rio Games in 2016, and a silver medal throughout the 2020 Tokyo version final 12 months.

The javelin thrower competes within the F46 occasions within the Paralympics and was among the many 4 Paralympic medallists to be conferred with the Padma awards this 12 months.
Tokyo Paralympics double medallist shooter Avani Lekhara acquired the Padma Shri for her glorious displaying final 12 months.
Lekhara received a gold medal within the 10m air rifle standing occasion and a bronze within the 50m rifle 3 positions occasion.
Alongside Jhajharia and Lekhara, gold medal-winning javelin thrower Sumit Anil, gold medallist in badminton Pramod Bhagat have been the opposite Paralympic stars to be conferred with the honour.
That he has achieved a first was not misplaced on Jhajharia.

“This is the first time a para athlete has got the Padma Bhushan, and I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this. Now I will have more responsibility towards the country, to win more medals for India,” Jhajharia stated.
“To the youth, I will say work hard. One minute of work will not get you anything. I have worked hard for the past 20 years, 2002 was the first time I won a gold medal,” he added.
Lekhara tweeted, “Honoured and grateful to be awarded the Padma Shri. This award is a testament to not only my efforts, but the sacrifices of my family and the support of everyone involved in my career helping me achieve all I have.

“I look ahead to representing the nation with the identical ardour!”