The Delivery Boy Who Delivered India a World Championship Gold!
India witnessed one of its most inspiring sporting stories unfold. Sandip Sanjay Sargar, a 32-year-old para javelin thrower, clinched gold in the F44 men’s javelin throw with a personal best of 62.82m at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025. For a man who once worked as a food delivery agent to pay for training, this victory was more than just a medal it was a proof to his unwavering self-belief .From Food Deliveries to World StageWhile sponsors and government support now back him, Sandip’s journey began in much humbler circumstances. In his early days, there was no funding, no recognition, and no roadmap. To keep his sporting dream alive, he worked as a food delivery in Pune. His days were punishing training from 5am to 7am, rushing to deliver breakfast orders, squeezing in evening training from 4pm to 7pm, and returning to the roads for dinner deliveries. Today, as a world champion, he looks back with pride . A Village Boy with No Idea About Para SportsSandip’s beginnings in Sangli’s Kargani village were far from the global sporting spotlight. At the age of four, a truck accident left him with a permanent leg disability. Still, he played sports at the state level with able-bodied athletes, never imagining there was a category for para athletes. In fact, until he was 23, Sandip had no idea para sports even existed. His discovery was almost accidental; while preparing for the Maharashtra civil services exam, he read about 2012 Paralympic gold medallist Mariyappan Thangavelu in a general knowledge book. That was his turning point. At first, his goal was simple: to win a medal at the national level and secure a government job. But fate had bigger plans.First Steps with a Bamboo JavelinWith no coach and little knowledge, Sandip began practicing javelin on a cricket ground using a bamboo stick. He watched YouTube videos to learn the technique. His first national competition in Jaipur in 2017 was a nightmare. He had never competed on synthetic tracks or used a steel javelin. An official scolded him, asking why he had come unprepared. That humiliation, however, lit a fire in him. Sandip decided he wouldn’t just dabble in para sports; he would dedicate his life to it. He quit his hotel management job, moved to Pune, and started proper training under coach Mahesh Patil at the Balewadi Sports Complex.Struggles, Doubts, and Small VictoriesSandip’s early years in Pune were full of doubts. Many told him he was too old to start at 24. Delivering food to familiar faces from his village was embarrassing, and he hid his struggles even from his father, a farmer who wouldn’t have understood why his son was cycling through the streets of Pune as a delivery boy. But there were glimmers of support. Fellow delivery agents helped him navigate the city and sometimes even covered his shifts. In 2018, his hardwork paid off when he won gold at the National Championships. By 2021, he had broken into India’s para athletics circle, even becoming a reserve for the Tokyo Paralympics.Climbing the Ladder: From Disappointments to GlorySandip’s career wasn’t free from setbacks. Injuries, especially to his lower body, constantly hampered his progress. He finished fifth at both the 2023 Kobe World Championships and the 2024 Paris Paralympics, narrowly missing medals. But he refused to give up. With support from Olympic Gold Quest and the Government’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), he sharpened his skills. On Tuesday in Norway, he finally delivered the performance he had long dreamed of: a personal best throw that made him a world champion. What’s Next for Sandip Sargar?At 32, Sandip is older than many of his competitors, but he insists he still has unfinished business. His ultimate dream is to breach the 75m mark in javelin, a distance he believes is within his reach. The Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics are firmly in his sights. For now, his gold in Norway has made his name into Indian sporting history. More importantly, it has delivered hope to countless aspiring athletes who come from humble backgrounds. Sandip Sargar’s rise is more than just a sporting journey it’s a reminder of what belief, hard work, and sacrifice can achieve. From cycling the streets of Pune with food delivery bags to standing atop the podium at the World Para Athletics Championships, he shows the spirit of never giving up .
