Javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia became the first Indian to win two gold medals at the Paralympics after breaking his own world record in Rio de Janeiro early on Wednesday IST. The Rajasthan-born para-athlete, who has an amputated left hand, recorded an attempt of 63.97 metres in the men's F46 event, which is for para-athletes with upper limb(s) deficiency, impaired muscle power or impaired range of movement. Ranked third in the world, Jhajharia won the gold ahead of China's Guo Chunliang (59.93 m), who is the world No. 1, and Sri Lanka's Herath Mudiyanselage (58.23 m).

Jhajharia's earlier world record of 62.15 metres was set in the Athens Paralympics 12 years ago. He did not participate in the 2008 and 2012 Games because the F46 event was not part of them. His 2016 win has now taken India's medal tally in the Rio Paralympics to four, with two golds, one silver and one bronze.

Jhajharia's left hand had to be amputated after he was electrocuted while climbing a tree when he was just eight years old. He was given the Arjuna award in 2004 and was also the first Paralympian to receive the Padma Shri, in 2012. He also won the gold at the International Paralympic Committee's Athletics World Championships in Lyon in 2013. The 35-year-old was one of India's biggest medal prospects at the Rio Paralympics.