2017 World Para Athletics Championships | Day 1 Highlights: Gurjar clinches javelin gold, Dhankar 4th in men's shot put

The 2017 World Para Athletic Championships opened in glittering fashion to a jam packed Olympic Stadium at London with 18000 odd athletic enthusiasts cheering on para athletes with world class pedigree. India started off their campaign in the multi-disciplined athletic competition with a bang on the opening day of the event with Sundar Singh Gurjar winning the Gold in the men's F 46 Javelin throw event.

Here are the key highlights of Day 1 from the 2017 World Para Athletic Championships

ATHLETE - SUNDAR SINGH GURJAR 

EVENT -     MEN'S JAVELIN THROW 

MEDAL -    GOLD 

India's Sundar Singh Gurjar won the Gold in the men's F 46 Javelin throw event and opened India's medal count. The strongman from Rajasthan hurdled the Javelin at a staggering distance of 60.36 metres to clinch the yellow medal.It was a personal best throw from Gurjar which led him to get past a competitive field. Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha Herath came second with 57.93m, while defending champion Guo Chunliang of China was third with a season’s best 56.14m.

ATHLETE - RINKU HOODA

EVENT -     MEN'S JAVELIN THROW 

MEDAL -    FOURTH 

In the men's F 46 Javelin throw event, India's Rinku Hooda also impressed with a stellar throw of 55.12 metres to finish at a creditable fourth position
Indian athletes were also in the fray in other throwing events.

Also Read: Sundar Singh Gurjar wins gold on opening night of 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London

ATHLETE - VIRENDER DHANKAR

EVENT -     MEN'S SHOT PUT 

MEDAL -    FOURTH

In the men's shot put F57 final, India's Virender Dhankar came in striking distance of finishing on the podium as he finished the field at the 4th spot with a best throw of 13.62 metres. The talented boy from Rohtak who had finished 5th in Rio, bettered his personal best from the Paralympics with a 55.12m throw. Meanwhile, Ekta Bhayan finished a disappointing sixth in the women’s club throw F51 event.

Great Britain's Hannah Cockroft wins women's 100 metres with world record timing

It was a perfect opening in the competition for hosts Great Britain as their female athlete Hannah Cockroft won the women's T 34 100 metres with a world record timing of 17.18 seconds.

Indians shall once again lock horns against the best in the world on Day 2 with eight of their athletes competing in the track and field events.

Here is the list of key Indian athletes set to compete on Day 2 of the competition

SUNIL PHOGAT - Javelin F 55

ANANDAN GUNASEKARAN- 400m T44

Also Read: Sundar Singh Gurjar India’s first para athlete to clinch gold at World Championships: Profile