Known for his hyper-aggressive demeanor and foul-mouthed outbursts, the 23-year-old athlete hurled abuses in true Delhi style as he launched his record-breaking throw of 47.32m, smashing the Paralympic record.
NEW DELHI: A chaste profanity in Hindi ‘Ooh Behan***’ and ‘Teri ** ki ****’ by a Delhi Javelin thrower is conquering hearts in India after he seized a gold medal at Paralympics for his country.
Navdeep Singh, a Delhi boy with dwarfism, made headlines by winning India’s 7th gold medal at the Paris Paralympics 2024 in the men’s F41 javelin throw event. Known for his hyper-aggressive demeanor and foul-mouthed outbursts, the 23-year-old athlete hurled abuses in true Delhi style as he launched his record-breaking throw of 47.32m, smashing the Paralympic record.
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On Sunday, during the Paralympics, Navdeep’s performance was marked by drama. After a shaky start where he toppled over in his first attempt, his second throw propelled him to the second position.
With his third throw, Navdeep shattered the Paralympic record with a thundering 47.32m throw. However, Iran’s Beit Sadegh seemingly outdid him with a throw of 47.64m, but was later disqualified for unsporting conduct—displaying an objectionable flag during the event.
The disqualification handed Navdeep the gold, upgrading his silver medal.
Born preterm in 2000, Navdeep’s dwarfism was discovered when he was two years old. His father, a panchayat official, and his mother took him for treatment in Rohtak and Delhi. Despite facing taunts for his size, Navdeep found solace in athletics at his village’s Government School, where he began competing in both special-ability and able-bodied events.
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His start in javelin came after a back injury ended his wrestling dreams—his father had also been a wrestler. In 2017, Navdeep shifted to New Delhi to train with renowned coach Naval Singh, where he rubbed shoulders with top para-athletes like Sandeep Chaudhary. In 2019, he clinched gold at the World Para Junior Championships in Switzerland, setting the stage for his current triumph.
Fans were quick to celebrate his fierce passion, as the video went viral on social media. “This guy may be short in height but huge in heart,” read a viral post on social media. Navdeep’s unfiltered personality and determination have captivated the nation, with his bold personality standing out almost as much as his impressive sporting achievements.
This victory also marked India’s first-ever medal in the men’s F41 javelin throw category, contributing to the country’s growing presence in para-athletics on the global stage. With this win, India climbed to the 15th spot in the overall medal tally in Paris with 7 golds, 9 silvers, and 13 bronze medals.