Asian Para Games 2023: Neeraj Yadav clinches gold, India sweep podium in men's discus throw F54/55/56 event

Yogesh Kathuniya, and Muthuraja won the silver and bronze medals.

Day 2 of Asian Para Games 2023 is turning out to be an eventful for the Indian contingent. Athletics in particular has churned out multiple medals with India now close to breaching the 40-medal mark. The men's discus throw (F54/55/56) saw India sweeping all the medals and this is the second time in the ongoing edition where India has secured all medals on offer. Neeraj Yadav, Yogesh Kathuniya, and Muthuraja clinched gold, silver, and bronze medals respectively.

Neeraj created a new Area and Games record by registering a throw of 38.56m. This is his second gold medal at the quadrennial extravaganza having won gold in Javelin throw in the previous edition. Apart from specializing in discus, Neeraj has actively pursued javelin throw simultaneously in domestic meet.

Last year the 39-year-old won gold in both javelin and discus throw at Marrakesh Grand Prix 2022. Neeraj started his career as a wheelchair player in 2005. However due to monetary constraints he couldn't continue to participate in the sport and started to focus on his job. A few years in 2015 after getting married, he started to take part in athletics.

In the same year at Delhi State Athletic Meet 2015, Neeraj won gold medals in three events - shot put, javelin and discus throw. Since then, he has actively been part of athletics and has won several accolades.

Yogesh Kathuniya, 2020 Paralympic silver medalist, finished second behind Neeraj with a throw of 42.13m. The 26-year-old recently won silver in World Para Athletics Championship 2023 and has been in fine shape. The other Indian in the field Muthuraja finished third with a best effort of 35.06m.