India celebrated a stellar 1-2 finish at the Asian Para Games on Tuesday as Pranav Soorma clinched the gold medal in the combined F51/52/53 discus throw event with a new continental record. Competing in discus throw for the first time at a major international competition, Soorma registered a best throw of 11.66 meters in his fourth attempt to secure the top podium spot.
Compatriot Ram Ratan Singh ensured a double podium finish for the delegation by taking the silver medal with a throw of 10.35 meters achieved during his second attempt. Iranian competitor Alireza Hemami secured the bronze medal with a throw of 20.20 meters, though final placings were determined using the Raza Point System to adjust for different functional classifications in the combined event format.
- Pranav Soorma won gold with an Asian record distance of 11.66 meters.
- Ram Ratan Singh secured the silver medal with a throw of 10.35 meters.
- The performance delivered a dominant 1-2 finish for India in the combined event.
- Soorma humorously compared his unexpected discus triumph to a star batter taking a rare wicket.
Transition from Club Throw to Discus
Reflecting on his historic victory, Soorma explained the unique technical challenges of transitioning from his pet event, the club throw, to discus. While club throw requires sticking the implement using glue applied to the fingers, discus demands a different grip spanning the entire hand. The 32-year-old dedicated the past year to rigorous practice and fine-tuning these technical variations to master both disciplines.
What Happens Next
With this landmark gold medal secured in his secondary discipline, Soorma turns his attention back to his primary event, the club throw. Having already established continental dominance in the discus F51/52/53 category, the Indian star aims to replicate his stellar form and secure additional medals as the multi-sport continental tournament continues over the coming days.
Keep browsing Sporting Avenue to get more interesting news from the world of sports. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the notifications instantly.
