India’s Sumit Antil defended his Paralympic javelin gold medal, creating a new Games record to climb to the top of the podium in Paris on Monday. Antil recorded the farthest throw of 70.59m in his second attempt, which remained unbeaten throughout the competition.
Despite a foul on his fourth attempt, Antil wrapped up the event with solid throws of 69.04m and 66.57m in his fifth and sixth attempts, respectively. No other competitor managed to cross the 70m mark.
Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku secured the silver medal with a top throw of 67.03m, while Michal Burian claimed bronze with a best of 64.89m.
Antil, who previously set the Paralympics record at the Tokyo Games with a throw of 68.55 meters, wasted no time in raising the bar further. His very first attempt in Paris saw him throw an impressive 69.11 meters, surpassing his previous record and taking an early lead. The excitement only grew as Antil’s second throw soared to an astonishing 70.59 meters, once again breaking his record and solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard.
He becomes only the second Indian athlete, following shooter Avani Lekhara, to successfully defend a Paralympics title.
Sumit Antil’s gold medal win has significantly boosted India’s medal tally at the Paralympics, bringing the total to 14 medals, including 3 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze. His record-breaking performance not only highlighted his individual excellence but also underscored India’s growing prowess in Paralympic sports, setting a high standard for future athletes.
The F64 category is designated for athletes with lower limb impairments, including those who compete with prosthetics or have differences in leg length.
