Sports: Para javelin thrower Sumit Antil made history on Monday by successfully defending his Paralympic gold medal in Paris. He broke his own F64 category Games record from Tokyo 2020 with a throw of 69.04 meters on his first attempt. His next throw, however, reached 70.59 meters, setting a new Paralympic record and securing his top position. Antil’s third-best throw, measuring 69.04 meters, came on his fifth attempt.
Antil is only the second Indian to defend a Paralympic title, following shooter Avani Lekhara.
In the event, Indian competitors Sandeep (F44) and Sandip Sargar (F44) finished fourth and seventh, achieving throws of 62.80 meters and 58.03 meters, respectively.
Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku, the World Record holder in the F44 category, secured second place with a throw of 67.03 meters. Australia’s Michal Burain claimed the bronze medal with a season-best throw of 64.89 meters.
Reigning champion Antil has now joined an elite group as only the second Indian to successfully defend a Paralympic title, following shooter Avani Lekhara, who won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at both the Tokyo and Paris Games.
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Antil also became part of a rare trio of Indians who have won two Paralympic gold medals, joining Avani Lekhara and Devendra Jhajharia, the current President of the Paralympic Committee of India, who won gold in javelin throw F46 at the Athens 2004 and Rio 2016 Games.
In addition to his Paralympic success, Antil has also secured gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023 and 2024 and topped the podium at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.
The former wrestler-turned-javelin thrower delivered a standout performance, clinching India’s third gold of the Paris Paralympics and the first in para-athletics. His second-round throw of 70.59 meters was the best of the event, with additional impressive throws of 69.11 meters in his opening attempt and 69.04 meters in his fifth attempt, both surpassing his previous Paralympic record.
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