India made an impressive start to its campaign at the Paralympic Games with Mariyappan Thangavelu creating history by bagging the gold while Varun Bhati won the bronze medal in the men’s T42 high jump on the second day of the mega-event in Rio.
Thangavelu won gold with his best jump of 1.89 metres, while Bhati’s best effort of 1.86m fetched him the bronze – and India, clearly hungry for more medals after the Olympics fetched the country just two, went nuts.
Here are the best reactions on Twitter – including an epic one from Piers Morgan.
Congrats Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning #Paralympics Gold for India.
Clearly read my motivational tweets. 🏅 pic.twitter.com/zV6qYuIKXx— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) September 10, 2016
The ‘bar has been raised’ & history has been created #MariyappanThangavelu & #VarunSinghBhati u both hv made d nation proud #Paralympics
— Lt. Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) September 10, 2016
In case you haven’t already seen it. Mariyappan Thangavelu. Saw it 5 times and am still blown by it. Just incredible pic.twitter.com/UdgLNRn3iZ
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 10, 2016
When Mariyappan was 5 yrs old, a drunk bus driver ran over & crushed his right leg. Mother had to take 3L loan for treatment
Still repaying— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) September 10, 2016
Two high jumps for Indian athletes, two giant leaps for India! Congratulations Mariyappan Thangavelu and Bhati Varun Singh! #Paralympics
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) September 10, 2016
India is elated! Congratulations to Mariyappan Thangavelu on winning a gold & Varun Singh Bhati for the bronze at the #Paralympics. #Rio2016
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2016
Mariyappan joins the gold medal club, welcome! Kudos 2 @GoSportsVoices for aiding Varun Bhati who won bronze! Champs pic.twitter.com/dQhlnGP45n
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) September 10, 2016
Indian sports mein prerna ki kami nahin hai.Congrats Mariyappan Thangavelu aur Varun Bhati aapke gold aur bronze ke liye. #Paralympics
— Sakshi Malik (@SakshiMalik) September 10, 2016
Puratchi Thalaivi Amma announces 2 crores prize money for Mariyappan Thangavelu #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/EQwJAEx68Y
— AIADMK (@AIADMKOfficial) September 10, 2016
