India’s para-athletics contingent continued its impressive run at the
Gavit crossed the finish line in 48.27 seconds to secure his second gold of the competition. He was joined on the podium by compatriot Bhavikkumar Bharwad, who claimed the silver medal with a time of 49.31 seconds. The bronze medal went to Japan’s Kakeru Ishida, who finished the race in 49.58 seconds.
A Golden Campaign for Gavit
This latest victory marks a significant milestone for Gavit, who has now secured two gold medals at the ongoing Games. His success in the 400m event follows his earlier triumph in the men's 100m T47 category, where he clocked 10.69 seconds to take the top spot. That race also saw an Indian double podium, with Basil securing the silver medal in 10.72 seconds.
Gavit’s 400m gold medal represented the 20th gold for the Indian contingent in Aichi-Nagoya. The athlete is no stranger to success on the continental stage, having previously won gold in the 400m T47 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games—a performance that helped India reach its 100th medal mark at that tournament. His recent international experience also includes reaching the final of the men's 400m T47 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Overcoming Adversity
The path to international success for Gavit began in the village of Toran Dongari, near Nashik, Maharashtra, where he was raised in a farming family. His life changed significantly during his early childhood when he suffered a severe fall from a tree, resulting in a serious injury to his right arm.
Due to the absence of immediate medical intervention, the injury progressed into gangrene, which necessitated the amputation of his arm below the elbow. Despite this life-altering challenge, Gavit remained committed to his athletic ambitions. He began his journey by training on the rural roads of his village before his potential was identified by coach Vaijnath Kale, who helped transition him into a professional para-athlete.
