At the Paralympics, India`s first ever gold medalist is Devendra Jhajharia. This one-armed javelin thrower who hails from Rajasthan, has won gold medal at Athens on 21 September 2004 in the javelin throw. A new record was set up by him with 62.15m overshadowing the old one of 59.77m. At the 8th FESPIC Games held in Korea in the year 2002, he also won the gold medal. Originally he belongs to the Churu District in Rajasthan. Presently Devendra is serving as a Class IV employee with the Indian Railways.

In an accident he had lost his left hand in his childhood. At a very young age while climbing the tree Devendramet an accident. In the tree he could not see an electric wire and touched it. Doctors had to amputate his left arm as it was so badly burnt.

Currently he is preparing for the Beijing Paralympics. Acknowledging his outstanding achievements, Indian government conferred him the highest prestigeous award in sports, the Arjuna Awards. The Governor of Rajasthan honoured Devendra Jhajharia on 10TH June in the year 2005 with the award of Maharana Pratap Puraskar. Maharana Pratap Puraskar is considered as the highest award for games in Rajasthan. A cash of Rs 10000/-, the award carries.