Jhajjar: His silver is gold for us, say Yogesh Kathunia’s kin on his Paralympics win

Family members of Indian para-athlete Yogesh Kathunia are elated over his silver medal victory in the men’s discus throw event in the Paris Paralympics.

They celebrated the occasion by dancing on drumbeats and distributed sweets in their neighbourhood in Bahadurgarh town. This was Yogesh’s second successive medal at the Paralympics after the Tokyo event in 2020 with the best throw of 44.58 metres. They said that Yogesh would be accorded a grand welcome on returning home from Paris.

“Yogesh had promised us that he would change the colour of his medal this time to gold. He could not do that but we are elated as even his silver medal is gold for us. Yogesh has again brought laurels for the state as well as the nation through his hard work,” said Meena Devi, his mother.

Yogesh’s father Gyan Chand, a retired Army officer, said that he was proud of his son, who had clinched back-to-back medals in the Paralympic Games.

“We cannot express our happiness in words. Now, all family members are eagerly waiting for his return. A road show will be held in Bahadurgarh town to welcome Yogesh, who is likely to return on September 9,” he added.

Yogesh’s sister Pooja, a teacher, said her brother had been working hard for the Paralympics due to which he had been away from home for several months. “He had promised me that he would bring another medal from Paris and he did it. We are happy and are celebrating the occasion by dancing and distributing sweets. My phone is flooded with congratulatory messages and I have been getting a lot of calls from our relatives and friends,” she said.

Meanwhile, Jhajjar Deputy Commissioner Shakti Singh congratulated Yogesh and his family on his feat. He said that it was a matter of pride and joy that players from Jhajjar district were continuously performing well and bringing glory to the district on international platforms.

Notably, pistol shooter Manu Bhaker and wrestler Aman Sherawat, who also belong to Jhajjar district, had clinched three medals in the Paris Olympics.