India continues to excel at the Paris Paralympics 2024, adding another gold medal to its display cabinet. Sumit Antil scored his second consecutive gold medal in the F64 category javelin in an extraordinary display of athleticism. The world record holder shattered the ceilings at the Paralympic event, becoming the first Indian to defend his title in the category and breaking his own world record twice in his attempts.  

Sumit clinched the gold with a Paralympic record throw of 70.59m in Paris. His previous 68.55m record was beaten in his first attempt as the 26-year-old set a new 69.11m record. However, his second attempt shattered that record as he managed to score 70.59 m. His fifth attempt was also an impressive 69.04, which beat his 2020 Tokyo record. Sumit also holds the world record in the F64 category at the Asian games with 73.29m, which he scored in 2023. 

In Antil’s category, Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku put up a close fight, clinching silver with a throw of 67.03 metres. Australia’s Michal Burian secured a bronze with the best throw of 64.89m. 

His fellow Indian para-athletes also put up a strong show at the event but unfortunately missed out on a medal placing. Sandeep and Sanjay Sandip Sargar finished fourth and seventh respectively in their categories. Sandeep threw the javelin at 62.80m in his third attempt while Sanjay placed seventh out of ten with a best throw of 58.03 metres. 

Sumit’s constant competition with himself 

Sumit has been consistently excelling in all his events at the global stage which has earned him the admiration at par with his idol and Olympics counterpart, the iconic Neeraj Chopra. Sumit secured the gold in Tokyo games while setting a record, following which he set another world record at the Asian Para Games in China. He then broke his own record once again during the World Para Athletics Championship in 2023 and secured the gold again in the World Championships earlier this year. 

Sumit was a wrestler during his teen years in Sonepat, Haryana. However, fate intervened in his plans as a motorcycle accident, while returning home from his tuitions, led to the amputation of his left leg. His father was a mechanic for the Indian Air Force, and got his treatment done in an Army hospital.  

However, his spirits were lifted following a meeting with Para-athlete Raj Kumar, who introduced him to the world of Para sports. He initially trained under Para-Asian Games medalist Virender Dhankar following which he trained with Dronacharya Award winning coach Naval Singh from 2018. According to Singh, Sumit had a natural ability to jerk much like Olympics star Neeraj Chopra. He capitalized on his upper-body strength as a wrestler and worked on his lower-body strength by throwing the shotput.  

As per an Indian Express report, Sumit also arranged around three lakhs cash to go to Finland to train with the 1988 Olympics gold medalist, Tapio Cortis.  

India’s representation in the event 

Day 5 of the Paris Paralympics was historic for India, as the nation collected eight medals on a single day- two golds, three silvers and three bronze. This was the first time that India has secured so many medals in a single day either at the Olympics or the Paralympics. India’s best ever performance was at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 bringing 19 medals home. Currently, the country has already secured 15 medals from Paris. 

Sumit’s medal is the third for India in the Summer Paralympics in Paris. Badminton player Nitesh Kumar had earlier secured the gold medal in the men’s SL3 category. Shooter Avani Lekhara won the gold medal and defended her title in 10 m air rifle shooting standing SH1 category on Friday. 

Yogesh Kathuniya secured the silver in the men’s discus throw event in the F56 category. Thulasimathi Murgesan and Manisha Ramdass earned a silver and a bronze respectively in the women’s singles SU5 badminton. Suhas Yathiraj secured a silver in men’s SL4 badminton. Rakesh Kumar and Sheetal Devi secured India’s second ever medal in para-archery (bronze).