Navdeep Singh, a rising Indian para-athlete, made headlines at the 2024 Paris Paralympics by winning the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw. He initially won the silver, but a surprising turn of events saw him upgraded to gold.
His record throw of 47.32 meters earned India its seventh gold medal at the games. Navdeep’s win came under unique circumstances, making his achievement even more remarkable.
Who is Navdeep Singh?
Navdeep Singh is a para-javelin thrower from Haryana, India. Born on November 11, 2000, he competes in the F41 category, which is for athletes of short stature.
Growing up in Haryana, Navdeep faced challenges due to his dwarfism. Sport was his escape from the taunts he faced.
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Initially drawn to wrestling like his father, a back injury in 2011 forced him to quit the sport. Navdeep later shifted his focus to javelin in 2017 after being inspired by Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra.
Under the guidance of para-athlete Sandeep Chaudhary, Navdeep trained hard and quickly climbed the ranks. His first major international success came in 2017 when he won a gold medal at the Asian Youth Para Games.
More: India medal tally at Paralympics: List of all medals won by India at Paris 2024 Paralympics
How did Navdeep Singh win gold in Men's Javelin throw at Paralympics 2024 despite finishing second?
Navdeep’s journey at the 2024 Paralympics was filled with excitement and drama. In the men’s javelin throw event, he initially struggled with his first throw.
His determination paid off as his third throw of 47.32 meters broke the Paralympic record. However, Iran’s Beit Sadegh surpassed Navdeep’s throw in his fifth attempt, seemingly securing the gold with a throw of 47.64 meters.
But a controversy arose when Sadegh was disqualified for unsporting conduct. The International Paralympic Committee found that Sadegh had violated Rule 8.1 by celebrating with a flag of religious significance and entering the field of play, both against the rules.
As a result, Sadegh's throw was disqualified, and Navdeep’s third attempt was declared the winning throw, securing him the gold medal. His achievement has been celebrated widely, with many lauding his ability to rise to the occasion despite challenging circumstances.
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