PM Modi heaps praise on Mariyappan Thangavelu
Two Indian para-athletes came to Japan hoping to win their second successive gold medal in the Paralympic Games.
One of them, Devendra Jhajharia, had to contend with silver after losing to Sri Lankan Dinesh Priyantha Herath in javelin throw T46 on Monday.
The other, Mariyappan Thangavelu, too had to be satisfied with a silver medal as American Sam Grewe outjumped him in the Men's High Jump T63 at the Olympic Stadium.
Also Read: Mariyappan Thangavelu clinches silver, Sharad Kumar wins bronze in high jump
Mariyappan, who like Jhajharia had won the gold medal in Rio Paralympics in 2016, cleared 1.86m, and was looking good for a gold medal when Grewe took a chance at 1.88 and cleared it.
"Soaring higher and higher! Mariyappan Thangavelu is synonymous with consistence and excellence. Congratulations to him for winning the Silver Medal. India is proud of his feat," PM Modi tweeted to congratulate the 26-year-old.
For Sharad Kumar, Modi wrote: "The indomitable @sharad_kumar01 has brought smiles on the faces of every Indian by winning the Bronze Medal. His life journey will motivate many."
Mariyappan, whose leg was crushed by a vehicle when he was on his way to school in his village in Salem district of Tamil Nadu, went for 1.88 but could not clear it in the three attempts that he got.
India's Sharad Kumar took the bronze medal with a jump of 1.83m.
The third Indian in the field, Varun Singh Bhati, who won bronze in Rio Paralympics in 2016, finished sixth with a valid jump of 1.77m.
India have so far won two gold, five silver and three bronze medals at the Tokyo showpiece.
(With IANS Inputs)
