Paralympics: World champion Sachin Khilari wins silver with Asian Record in Paris

2023 and 2024 world champion Sachin Khilari clinched silver in the Paris Paralympics on Wednesday, September 4. Khilari threw 16.32m.

In the men’s shot put F46 – finishing behind Canada’s Greg Stewart at Stade de France in Paris. Khilari’s throw on Wednesday was also the best effort an Asian has ever put in the men’s F46 event.

There were a total of three Indians participating in the event. Mohd Yasser and Rohit Kumar were not able to get into the podium contention, finishing 8th and 9th respectively with best throws of 14.21m and 14.10m.

Sachin, who came into the Paris Paralympics on the back of winning the World Champions and the Asian Games. He showed incredible consistency to put in all six legal throws, with his best coming in, on his second attempt. From the very start of the competition, Sachin had stayed in the top two contention alongside Canada’s Stewart.

Sachin’s silver win in Paris is India’s 11th medal in the para-athletics alone. The track and field contingent has proven to be India’s main medal clincher in the Paralympics 2024.

Who is Sachin Khilari?
Sachin Sarjerao Khilari is a remarkable Indian para shot put athlete who has overcome numerous challenges to achieve great success in his sport. Born in Kargani, Atpadi Taluka, Sangli district, Maharashtra, Khilari’s journey to becoming a world-class athlete is a testament to his resilience and determination. Khilari’s early life was marked by adversity. At the age of nine, he suffered a bicycle accident that led to a fracture and gangrene in his left hand. Despite this, he pursued his passion for sports while studying to become an engineer. Initially, he took up javelin throw but was forced to switch to shot put after a shoulder injury. This change proved to be a turning point in his career.

Under the guidance of coach Arvind Chavan, Khilari honed his skills in shot put. He won his first gold medal in the Jaipur Nationals in 2017 with a throw of 58.47 meters. His dedication and perseverance paid off when he won his first world para title with a new Asian record throw of 16.21 meters in Paris last year. He followed this up with a title in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games with a throw of 16.03 meters.

Khilari’s most recent achievement came at the World Para Athletics Championship in Kobe, Japan, where he defended his gold medal in the men’s shot put F46 category with an Asian record of 16.30 meters. This victory contributed to India’s best-ever haul in the championship, surpassing the previous tally of 10 medals.

Khilari’s success is not limited to his athletic prowess. He has also had to balance his training with financial hardships, particularly during the drought years in Maharashtra. To make ends meet, he taught aspiring UPSC students, often practicing for two hours in the morning and then teaching for six hours a day.

Khilari draws inspiration from world-class athletes like Ryan Crouser and Tajinderpal Singh Toor. He is known for his unique technique, which involves using his right hand only to generate power and speed. His coach, Arvind Chavan, has worked extensively with him to strengthen his shoulder and chest muscles, allowing him to excel in the shot put event.

As India prepares for the Paris Paralympics, Khilari is one of the key athletes to watch. His impressive performance in the World Para Athletics Championship has set him up for a strong showing in the Paralympics. With his determination and skill, he is poised to bring more glory to India in the world of para sports.