Gavit won his second gold medal of the Games after earlier claiming the top prize in the men’s 100m T47 category. Indian para-athletes secured another double podium finish at the ongoing Asian Para Games as Dilip Mahadu Gavit and Bhavikkumar Bharwad clinched gold and silver, respectively, in the men’s 400m T47 final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Thursday. The Indian sprinter clocked 48.27 seconds to win the 400m T47 event, while compatriot Bhavikkumar finished second with a time of 49.31 seconds. Japan’s Kakeru Ishida took bronze in 49.58 seconds.
Gavit’s gold was India’s 20th at the ongoing Asian Para Games as the contingent continued its strong showing in Aichi-Nagoya. It was also his second gold medal of the competition. Born in the small village of Toran Dongari near Nashik in Maharashtra, Gavit grew up in a humble farming family. His life took a major turn when, at the age of five or six, he suffered a serious fall from a tree, severely injuring his right arm. Despite the setback, Gavit refused to let his disability define his future and pursued his passion for running through a career in para-athletics.
Due to a lack of timely medical treatment, the injury developed into gangrene, leading to the amputation of his arm below the elbow. Earlier, Gavit clinched gold in the men’s 100m T47 event with a time of 10.69 seconds. Adding to India’s success, Basil secured silver in 10.72 seconds. Dilip Gavit had earlier won gold in the men’s 400m T47 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games, securing India’s historic 100th medal at the Games. He further made the nation proud by reaching the final of the men’s 400m T47 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Practising on the dusty roads of his village, his talent was later recognised by coach Vaijnath Kale , who guided him into professional para-athletics. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
