Indian para athlete Mahendra Gurjar has scripted history by setting a new world record in the men’s F42 javelin category with a throw of 61.17 meters at the Nottwil World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Switzerland.

The 27-year-old broke the previous record of 59.19 meters set by Brazil’s Roberto Floriani Edenilson in 2022.

Gurjar’s record-breaking throw came on his third attempt, after throwing 56.11m first and 55.51m second attempt. The F42 category is for athletes with moderate movement impairment in one leg.

Though Gurjar competed in a combined event with athletes from F40, F57, F63, and F64 categories, he won gold in F42 and set the world record in that classification.

This was Gurjar’s second gold at the event, having also won the long jump T42 event with a 5.59m leap on 23rd of this month. It was his debut in long jump, and he is now Asia’s top-ranked athlete in the category.

Sumit Antil, a double Paralympics gold medallist, also won gold in the F64 javelin event with a throw of 72.35m. F64 is for athletes with moderate leg impairments or limb loss.

However, the F42 category is not included in the 2023 Asian Para Games or the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympics.