Paris: In what has become an all-too-familiar story, Indian discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya once again found himself on the second step of the podium at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist and two-time World Championships silver medallist threw a season-best of 42.22 meters in the men’s discus throw F56 final but fell short of the elusive gold medal, finishing second to Brazil’s Claudiney Batista.
Yogesh’s determination to win gold was evident in his pre-Games declaration: “I am desperate to win gold. It has become a personal fight for me now. I have been collecting silver medals. I am fed up with winning silver medals and coming second all the time. Now I don’t want another silver.”
Despite his frustration, fate seemed determined to keep him in second place. Even at the Para Asian Games last year, despite throwing the furthest in the field, the factorization for multiple categories meant he finished second again, this time to compatriot Neeraj Yadav. The pattern repeated in Paris, where his silver medal was sealed by another extraordinary performance from Batista.
The Brazilian athlete, who had long been Kathuniya’s nemesis, broke his own Paralympic record multiple times during the final, ultimately setting a new mark at 46.86 meters. Despite his own strong throws, including the 42.22-meter effort, Yogesh simply couldn’t bridge the gap.
The disappointment was palpable on Kathuniya’s face as his sixth and final throw came up short at 39.68 meters. The pain of missing out on gold yet again was etched in every line of his expression, a stark contrast to the brief smile he managed for the cameras after his silver medal was confirmed.
Yogesh’s journey to the Paralympics is nothing short of inspiring. Stricken with Guillain-Barré syndrome at the age of nine, he faced quadriparesis, a condition causing muscle weakness in all four limbs. Through the tireless efforts of his mother, who learned physiotherapy to aid his recovery, Yogesh regained enough strength to walk again within three years. From those challenging beginnings to standing on the Paralympic podium, his story is a testament to resilience.
Though the silver medal brought him little joy in Paris, Kathuniya knows that his achievements are a source of pride for his family and fans back home. “Every time I come back with a silver medal, it leaves me a bit disappointed but when I return home and see the happiness in the faces of fans, my family, I feel happy,” he reflected.
While Yogesh Kathuniya’s battle for gold continues, his accomplishments already place him among the elite of Indian Paralympic athletes. With two Paralympic silver medals to his name, he joins the ranks of only eight other Indians who have multiple medals at the Games. And while the pain of silver remains, the pride in his journey and his unyielding spirit is perhaps the greatest victory of all.