Discus thrower Sagar Thayat, initially an able-bodied athlete, faced a life-altering accident in 2012 that severely injured both his ankles. Despite this setback, he will compete for India in the F43/44 categories at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland.
Following a freak accident during his time at Dehradun Sports College, where a mortar was mistakenly thrown in the hostel, Thayat endured over 20 surgeries and a prolonged recovery period spanning 5-6 years. Inspired by Paralympian Devendra Jhajharia, he transitioned to para-athletics after learning about his achievements.
Transitioning from shot put to discus, Thayat’s journey in para-athletics has been remarkable. His success includes winning gold at the Dubai Para Athletics Grand Prix (2025) and the Indian Open Para Athletics International Championships (2026), along with a bronze at the Tunisia Para Athletics Grand Prix (2023).
Thayat, who trains at the SAI, NCoE in Gandhinagar, credits his coach, Madhu Kumar, as his role model for his guidance and support. He aims to surpass his personal best throw of 51.93 meters at the upcoming Commonwealth Games, having achieved throws of up to 55-56 meters in training.
Expressing gratitude towards his family for their unwavering support during his injury and recovery phase, Thayat acknowledges their encouragement in pursuing his passion for para-athletics.
