
Image Credits: @IOC
- Aug
- 30
Sumit Antil has clinched India's second gold in the Paralympics by winning the men's javelin throw F64 event with world record effort. Australia's Michal Burian won the silver medal, with a best attempt of 66.29m, while Sri Lanka's Dulan Kodithuwakku took home the bronze medal.
Sumit Antil scripted history on Monday as he broke the world record thrice to win a gold medal at the Paralympics, launching his way to the top of the podium in the men's javelin F64 finals in Tokyo. India had won four medals in the 2016 editions while the medal count stands at seven in the ongoing event.
Sumit broke the WR thrice in six attempts
The 23-year-old from Sonepat in Haryana, who lost his left leg below the knee after he was involved in a motorbike accident in 2015, sent the spear to 68.55m in his fifth attempt, which was the best of the day by quite a distance and a new world record.
In fact, he bettered the previous world record of 62.88m, also set by him, three times on the day. His last throw was a foul. His series read 66.95, 68.08, 65.27, 66.71, 68.55 and foul.
Sumit Antil's day:
- Wake up.
- Casually break your own World Record thrice in six attempts.
- Win gold for your country. 🥇
What an absolute bossman! pic.twitter.com/x03XGnSqHo
A student of Delhi's Ramjas College, Antil was an able-bodied wrestler before his accident which led to the amputation of his leg below the knee. A para athlete in his village initiated him to the sport in 2018.
He also competed against Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in the able-bodied Indian Grand Prix series 3 on March 5 in Patiala.