Gavit leads India's historic 1-2 finish in men's 100m T47 at Commonwealth Games
India secured a historic 1-2 finish in the men's 100m T47 para athletics final at the Commonwealth Games on Wednesday, with Dilip Mahadu Gavit winning gold in a Games-record time and Mohammed Basil Morssinganakath taking silver.
Gavit clocked 10.71 seconds, his season's best, while Basil also recorded a season-best 10.83 seconds. England's Kevin Santos won bronze in 10.85 seconds.
The gold was India's third at the Glasgow Games, taking the country's medal tally to three gold, nine silver and three bronze. India moved to eighth in the standings.
Gavit, who competed on a rain-soaked track, said he struggled initially but gradually found his rhythm.
"The start was a bit slow, but then I gradually picked up pace and it felt great to win," he said.
The 100m T47 event is for para athletes with a unilateral arm impairment or absence that affects strength, movement or coordination on one side.
Gavit said the weather made it difficult to warm up and find his timing but insisted he was already focused on future competitions, including the Para Asian Games in Japan and the 2028 Paralympics.
"I am not thinking about doing a job now, my target is to win medals," he said. "I am sure I will do better at the upcoming Para Asian Games in September-October in Japan and then the Paralympics."
Gavit's victory capped a journey shaped by adversity and limited access to sports facilities in rural Maharashtra. He lost his left hand after being unable to access adequate medical treatment when he was young.
His coach, Vaijanth Kale, spotted him at school and persuaded his parents to allow him to train.
"He did not know anything about para competitions. He was competing in able-bodied events and was doing well," Kale said.
Gavit had previously won two medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in Pune and another at the under-18 level while competing against able-bodied athletes.
Kale said Gavit's talent was evident from an early age but that a lack of sports facilities in rural areas limited his opportunities. Training in Nashik eventually helped him progress into para athletics and reach the Commonwealth Games podium.
India's other para athletes, Sagar Thayat and Devender Kumar, missed out on medals in the men's F42-44/F61-64 discus throw final, finishing sixth and seventh respectively.
Sagar, competing in the F43 category, recorded an Asian record and season's best throw of 51.79 metres, while Devender, in the F44 category, managed 48.20 metres.
