Mariyappan strikes gold at 1.89 metres

Appreciating his feat, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa announced a purse of Rs 2 crore. Similarly, the Centre announced a cash prize of Rs 75 lakh. 

As soon as the news broke out, the social media was flooded with congratulatory messages for Mariyappan from all sections, including sports personalities, political leaders and others. 

Mariyappan, who had his education at the government school Periyavadagampatti, around 60 km from Salem town, lost his limb in a bus accident at the age of five. The accident added to the family woes as his father, Thangavelu, had deserted them long ago. 

Though his leg was lost, the burning desire of Mariyappan, a BBA final year student, to achieve something big kept him going. His mother Saroja told DTNext, “At one point, when I struggled to make both ends meet all of us even thought of committing suicide together. But, it was the words of Mariyappan that gave us hope and he became the breadwinner of the family.” 

During holidays, he went for all kinds of jobs and had worked even as construction coolie to support the family, said Saroja in a choked voice. While he was in school, Rajendran, the Physical Education Teacher, identified his passion in high jump and started training him. “Mariyappan should have participated in 2013 Paralympics itself. But, money played a cruel game then,” the PET said.

When he joined a private college in Salem, Mariyappan was under the guidance of Ilamparuthi, a special coach from Sports Development Authority of Tami Nadu (SDAT). From 2014, he was put on rigorous training by Ilamparuthi at the Salem Mahatma Gandhi Stadium. Even at the IPC Grand Prix held in March this year at Tunisia, Thangavelu cleared a height of 1.78m. 

At Rio, it was an interesting contest as six of the 12 para athletes cleared the 1.74m mark in their first eight attempts.

In his 10th attempt, Mariyappan jumped 1.77m successfully, along with three more contestants. In the next stage, Varun Bhati set the tone with a jump of 1.83m mark along with Mariyappan. Eventually, in a nail biting finale, Mariyappan grabbed the top honours and Varun Bhati, won the bronze by clearing 1.86 metres.

Congratulations on becoming the first Indian high jumper to win a gold in Paralympics. The entire nation joins me in celebrating your success Pranab Mukherjee, President

India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold and Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the Rio Paralympics Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Your achievement, overcoming several obstacles will inspire all. Kindly accept my heartiest congratulations on behalf of the people of TN J Jayalalithaa Chief Minister

SACHIN TENDULKAR: Congratulations on your medals at the #Paralympics #MariyappanThangavelu & #VarunBhati. Your strength & spirit is commendable. Keep shining!

VIRENDER SEHWAG: Congrats to #MariyappanThangavelu for gold & Varun Singh fr bronze in #Paralympics These true heroes defy all odds 

ANIL KUMBLE: Congratulations #MariyappanThangavelu and #VarunSinghBhati for the medals at the #Paralympics! We’re proud of you!

KHUSHBU SUNDAR: Wow..fantastic...#MariyappanThangavelu kudos to u..u make us so proud.. hope he is awarded suitably too like others #Paralympics

AMITABH BACHCHAN: T 2375 -#Paralympics joy for India .. Gold & Bronze for Thangavelu and Bhatti in high jump ! COME ON INDIA !!!