NE SPORTS BUREAU
TOKYO, AUG 30
Javelin thrower Sumit Antil clinched India”s second gold at the ongoing Paralympics, shattering the men’s F64 category world record multiple times in a stunning Games debut performance here on Monday.
https://twitter.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/1432340434580226058
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.
Look at the golden throw of Sumit Antil who created a record at the #Paralympics #Tokyo2020
Congratulations to Sumit for winning Gold medal in Javelin Throw! India is extremely proud of you!#Cheer4India #Praise4Para #ParalympicsTokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/WS4KeETQq2
— Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) August 30, 2021
In fact, he bettered the previous world record of 62.88m, also set by him, five 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.
Australian Michal Burian (66.29m) and Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku (65.61m) took the silver and bronze respectively.
The World Record has been broken !
India 🇮🇳 has won another GOLD🥇 MEDAL !
Sumit Antil congratulations on a splendid 🥇 at #Tokyo2020 #Paralympics
Incredible throw, Inspirational feat !
• Javelin Throw F64 Final with a throw of 68.55m#Praise4Para #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/zdDbDnIUxs
— Anurag Thakur (मोदी का परिवार) (@ianuragthakur) August 30, 2021
The F64 category is for athletes with a leg amputation, who compete with prosthetics in a standing position.
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.
He finished seventh with a best throw of 66.43m while Chopra shattered his own national record with a big effort of 88.07m.
He won a silver in the F64 javelin throw at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai.
Shooter Avani Lekhara had claimed the women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 event gold in the morning.
