Paralympic Games: Sundar Singh Gurjar slams SAI coach, says his betrayal robbed him of a medal

Gurjar was expected to give Jhajharia a run for his money as he threw 70 metres during practice and was hoping to repeat the same in the main event.

New Delhi: While Indian Paralympians have performed brilliantly in Rio so far, one case which has made headlines was the absence of Indian javelin thrower Sundar Gurjar from his main event.

Gurjar, who was touted to win Gold in the F-46 category of javelin throw, was disqualified after he failed to turn up for the event.

Gurjar was expected to give Jhajharia a run for his money as he threw 70 metres during practice and was hoping to repeat the same in Rio.

It was in the F-46 javelin throw event where Jhajharia scripted history by becoming the only Indian to win two gold medals in history of Rio Olympics as well as Paralympics.

According to a report in NDTV, while Jhajharia was basking in the glory of his second Gold, Gurjar was rushed to the hospital as he fainted after realising that the blunder which was committed.

Speaking exclusviely to NDTV, Gurjar, who hails from Rajathan, expressed his anger on Sports Authority of India (SAI) officials, especially on coach Deepak Bhardwaj.

"Whatever happened has totally ruined me. I still cannot eat. The world knows that I was the best javelin thrower and had been the best in my category for last few months. I don't understand English nor can I read or speak the language. I was totally on the mercy of the coach, who betrayed me. He was not my personal coach. He was coach sent by SAI," Gurjar said.

Not to forget, Devendra, whose previous best was 62.15 metres (achieved in the 2004 Games), improved the mark with an attempt of 63.97 metres at the Olympic Stadium (Engenhao).

Gurjar was an able-bodied athlete, till he lost a hand in an accident last year. He rose to fame when he crossed the 68-metre mark to surpass Jhajharia’s long-standing National record.

A juice stall owner outside Gurjar’s training facility had earlier filed a police complaint of being offered Rs. 1 lakh by a stranger for allegedly spiking Gurjar’s drink.