Which Indian Paralympic athlete won the gold medal in the javelin throw F46 event at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games?

Introduction / Context:
India produced several inspiring performances at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, winning medals in events such as high jump, javelin throw, and shot put. The F46 category in javelin throw is for athletes with certain upper limb impairments. This question focuses on identifying the Indian Paralympian who won a gold medal in the javelin F46 event at Rio 2016. Knowing which athlete belongs to which event is a common test of sports general knowledge.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The event is the javelin throw, classification F46, at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
• The question asks specifically for the Indian athlete who won the gold medal in that event.
• The options include prominent Indian Paralympians: Mariyappan Thangavelu, Deepa Malik, Devendra Jhajharia, and Varun Singh Bhati.
• We assume standard official results of the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Concept / Approach:
To answer correctly, we need to match each athlete with the event in which they are most famous. Devendra Jhajharia is known as a legendary Indian Paralympic javelin thrower and became the first Indian Paralympian to win two gold medals in javelin, including one at Rio 2016 in the F46 category. Mariyappan Thangavelu is famous for gold in high jump T42. Deepa Malik won a silver medal in shot put, and Varun Singh Bhati won a bronze medal in high jump. Therefore, only Devendra Jhajharia fits the description in the question.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
As an alternative check, think about award recognition. Devendra Jhajharia has received top national honours for his achievements in javelin. News reports around Rio 2016 highlighted his world record and gold medal in the F46 javelin event. The other athletes have also been honoured, but always in connection with different track and field disciplines, confirming that only Devendra Jhajharia matches the event described in the question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:
Many aspirants remember the list of medal winners but confuse the events. Another pitfall is to choose Mariyappan Thangavelu just because he is the most widely mentioned Paralympic gold medallist, without reading that the question is specifically about javelin F46. Always map each athlete to their main event: high jump, javelin, or shot put. Careful attention to the classification codes and event names helps avoid mistakes.

Final Answer:
The Indian Paralympic athlete who won gold in the javelin throw F46 event at Rio 2016 is Devendra Jhajharia.