Joby Mathews: his legs could not,but he has achieved honour with his arms for India.

Joby Mathews of India have won 3 Gold Medals and a silver Medal at the World Dwarf Games 2013, U.S.A . . He won 3 Gold Medals in the categories of Shot put, javelin throw, discus throw and got silver medal in Badminton. The 36-year-old Joby, who suffers from Bilateral Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency or in simpler means stunted growth of the legs since birth, has been become a World Arm Wrestling champion twice. What his legs could not, he has achieved with his arms and a bundle of raw courage and grit. In March 2008 at Leon in Spain, Mathew became a World Arm Wrestling champion in the normal category. The same year he also won the championship in the disabled category. Mathew even drives a specially modified car and also hits the gymnasium regularly. "There is so much to learn for all of us from Joby. It's just his determination that keeps him going," Mathew's trainer Shaji said. "When Joby Mathew addressed
us for the first time, he motivated us with his challenges and achievements. He is an inspiration to us," Krishnan R Menon said. When Mathew isn't thinking of sports, he dons the role of a husband, and a father to his three-year-old son. And with a supportive wife by his side, he has
converted his disability into his biggest strength. "One ambition which remains is to scale the Mount Everest. I want to achieve that in eight years from now after having undergone proper training," Mathew said. But as the world champion goes on breaking every possible barrier in sports, there is one thing that he is still waiting for and that is recognition because he too has done his nation proud in whatever way he could. It was the start of a journey that would eventually see him scoop a gold medal, one silver, and three bronze on the world stage. In the Japan World Championships 2005 he impressively bagged three bronze medals - one for general category against non-disabled competitors and two in disabled categories on different hands. Then - reaching the top of his game at the 2008 World Championships in Spain - he coolly pocketed gold for the general category and silver for the disabled event.

During the competitions opponents are assigned to classes according to weight. Despite his differences, Mr. Matthew has never regarded himself as less able than others. His legs were extremely small at birth,' he said. 'According to science my legs are 60 per cent underdeveloped. 'But I think all of us are physically challenged in some way, so I never consider myself handicapped. According to the world I am, but it will never stop me from trying anything.'

To keep himself fighting-fit, Mr. Matthew hits the gym for an hour every day before swimming in a local river until he reaches his astounding limit. After working out he returns home to 25-year-old wife Megha, a dance expert, and his two-month-old baby boy. With his insatiable appetite to reach new physical heights he has also begun a gruelling personal training program in mountain climbing. After earning crucial experience in the lower Himalayas' and New Zealand his new dream is to climb Mount Everest. 'It could take me eight years until I'm ready,' he said. 'But with everything I've achieved I know I can do it.'