Asian Para Games 2023: Solairaj Dharmaraj wins gold, creates new Area Record in men's long jump T64

Manu secured bronze in men's shot put event.

India's Solairaj Dharmaraj clinched gold by breaking the Games Record in men's T64 long jump event at Asian Para Games 2023. The 29-year-old leapt a distance of 6.80m to eclipse Sri Lanka's Nuwan Idhika to the top spot. A total of three Indians participated in the event with Someshwar Rao and Pradeep finishing fifth and sixth respectively.

Solairaj did not have a good start to the campaign and registered three foul jumps in the first three attempts. He then bounced back and recorded 6.36m with a wind reading of -0.6 m/s. Things didn't go in his way in the next attempt as he registered the fourth foul jump in as many as five attempts.

By registering 6.36m, he was placed firmly in the second spot and the fight was purely for the top spot against Nuwan Idhika. Showing composure, Solairaj Dharmaraj created a new Area record as well as the Games Record with his last jump. The world record in T64 event currently stands with Germany's Rehm Markus, who leapt a distance of 8.72m earlier this year.

Other Indians in the event, Someshwara Rao registered 6.18m while Pardeep recorded a best jump of 5.81m. The former in particular maintained good consistency by jumping above 6m+ five times.

Meanwhile, Manu won bronze in men's shot put F37 event by registering a personal best mark of 14.09m. Tolibboy from Uzbekistan also registered 14.09m, but clinched silver on the account of countback. Tolibboy had a next best attempt of 13.94m to Manu's 13.75m.

His countrymate, Mayank, too recorded a personal best jump of 12.08m but it did not prove enough for him to get to the podium. Unfortunately, the Indian finished seventh (last).