India sweep men's high jump T63; Anjanaben takes women's 400m T47 gold

Nagoya: Shailesh Kumar led an Indian sweep of the men's high jump T63 competition, while sprinter Anjanaben Bumbadiya struck gold in the women's 400m T47 event as India's para-athletics contingent remained consistent in delivering medals at the Asian Para Games here on Thursday.

Bumbadiya clinched the gold with a timing of 59.97sec and was followed by compatriot Jayanti Behera (1:00.65sec) in the second place. Thailand's Sasirawan Inthachot took the bronze with 1:02.58sec.

"This is just my second international competition and to have won a gold here gives me immense happiness. All I wanted to do was give my best and I am happy I could do it in this event," Bumbadiya said after the race.


In the men's high jump T63 competition, Shailesh, who won a long jump bronze on Wednesday, led India's domination with a Games record effort of 1.89m. Former Paralympic bronze-winner Varun Bhati secured the silver with a season's best of 1.84m, while Rahul ended with the bronze after a jump of 1.81m.

In the women's 400m T12 event, visually impaired Tejalben Damor won her second medal of the Games by finishing with a silver after clocking 57.60sec. She had earlier won a bronze in the 200m T12 competition.

The T47 category covers athletes with a below-elbow amputation, wrist amputation, or similar upper-limb deficiency/impairment affecting one arm.

T63 classification is for athletes who have a through-knee or above-knee amputation or limb deficiency. The athletes compete with a lower-limb prosthesis featuring a knee joint for running and jumping.

The Indian trio usually competes in the T42 category which covers lower limb deficiency, leg length difference, impaired muscle power, or impaired passive range of movement affecting hip and knee function.