For a young boy in a conflict-sensitive region with limited medical and sporting infrastructure, the future looked bleak. However, instead of succumbing to despair, Sakhi discovered an unyielding will. He adapted to daily life with one arm and found an outlet for his energy in sports, initially in disciplines like kabaddi and volleyball. Sakhi’s transition to para-athletics was not immediate. He was spotted by coaches during a local para-sports event, where his raw upper-body strength and explosive power were evident. Given his physical classification (F46 – for athletes with arm deficiency, moderate movement issues in one arm, or the absence of limbs), shot put was identified as his ideal event.
However, the road to Paris 2024 was fraught with challenges. He suffered from a lack of sponsorship and had to juggle training with a job in the Indian Army’s special para-military unit (he was later recruited under the army’s sports quota). His personal best improved steadily, and he entered the Paris Paralympics as a dark horse, with a season's best of around 14.8 meters. The Men's Shot Put F46 final at the Stade de France on September 4, 2024, was a high-intensity contest. The field included world-record holders from Cuba and Australia. Sakhi remained calm. On his third throw, he unleashed a massive heave that sailed to 15.10 meters – a new Asian record and his personal best. jahangeer sakhi
Without a proper throwing circle or gym equipment in his village, Sakhi’s early training was rudimentary. He would practice with homemade weights, using stones and iron rods. His determination caught the attention of the Sports Authority of India and the Paralympic Committee of India, who provided him with a stipend and access to better facilities. Sakhi’s breakthrough came at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London, where he won a bronze medal, signaling his arrival on the world stage. He followed this up with consistent performances at Asian Para Games and World Grand Prix events. For a young boy in a conflict-sensitive region
While the gold went to Cuba’s Gregorio Lázaro (15.22m), Sakhi’s silver medal was a masterclass in consistency and nerve. His throw not only secured India’s 16th medal of the Games but also highlighted the growing depth of Indian para-shot put. Sakhi’s transition to para-athletics was not immediate
In the annals of Indian para-sports, few stories resonate with as much grit and resilience as that of Jahangeer Sakhi . A shot putter from Jammu and Kashmir, Sakhi has overcome not just a severe physical disability but also economic hardship to stand on the global podium. He captured the nation’s heart by winning the Silver Medal in the Men's Shot Put F46 category at the Paris 2024 Paralympics , adding a glorious chapter to India’s best-ever Paralympic campaign. Early Life and the Accident Jahangeer Sakhi was born in the border district of Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. His life took a dramatic turn at the age of eight. While playing with his friends, he attempted to jump onto a moving train—a common but dangerous childhood dare. He missed his footing, fell, and his left arm was crushed under the train's wheels. The arm had to be amputated above the elbow.