SAI Gandhinagar played big role in my Rio success: Jhajharia

AHMEDABAD: Devendra Jhajharia has become the toast of the nation ever since he won the gold medal in the men's javelin throw F46 event at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. The man of the hour spoke to TOI to share his success story.
Jhajharia, who belongs to Churu district in Rajasthan, has been stationed in Gandhinagar for the past two years and the peace of Gujarat's capital has apparently wowed him."Away from the busy life, I was practising at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) campus in Gandhinagar for the last two years. I felt that the green surrounding there helped me recover so quickly after exhausting sessions," Jhajharia, who holds a special post of para-athletics coach at SAI Gandhinagar, told TOI from Rio.
"SAI Gandhinagar holds a special place in my heart and I feel it has played a big role in my Rio success," the 2004 Athens Paralympics medallist said.
Explaining about his designation as coach at SAI, Jhajharia made it clear that it is a special post created for him, and three others, as he is a paralympian and it does not require him to train others right now. "Till the time I am playing, I have to focus only on my training and not on coaching others. Only after I decide to retire, I will pass on my knowledge to others," he explained.
Jhajharia's personal coach Sunil Tanwar also talked about their pleasant experience of Gandhinagar. "It is an ideal location for athletes as it is neither too hot nor too cold unlike Sonepat which is too cold in winters. Also, Devendra was provided with every help possible by SAI regional director RK Naidu. He got food according to his choice and requirements. We were given enough space on the campus to practise without any hindrance," Tanwar said.
Tanwar revealed that Devendra had stuck a deal with him that if he won a medal in Rio, he will take a break from practice. "He will not pick up the javelin for two months now. After that, we will start preparing for the World Championship, to be held in mid-2017," Tanwar said.
When TOI spoke to Naidu, he said he was so confident about Jhajharia's success that he had sent him a mail saying 'you will make history' just 24 hours before his event. "I have looked after para-athletes before -- during my Delhi posting -- so I knew what Jhajharia required. I extended to him every possible support. When he came back from Finland after 81-day training camp, he had lost four kgs and looked 10 years younger. I knew at that point he would shine bright in Rio," a delighted Naidu said.