Sumit Antil becomes first player from India to defend title at the Paralympics
The achievement was accomplished by the 26-year-old Indian para-athlete at the Stade de France, where he set a new Paralympic record of 70.59 meters.
As the first male para athlete from India to win gold in the men’s javelin throw F64 class at the Paralympics, Ace Javelin thrower Sumit Antil made history on Monday by becoming the first paralympian to defend his title. The achievement was accomplished by the 26-year-old Indian para-athlete at the Stade de France, where he set a new Paralympic record of 70.59 meters. Remarkably, Sumit broke his own Paralympic record three times on Monday, which he had created in order to win the gold medal in Tokyo 2020.
“I was hoping to break the world record, but it’s good to have got the Paralympic record,” Sumit said. On his debut effort, Sumit Antil broke his personal record of 68.55 meters by setting a new Paralympic record of 69.11 meters. It put him at the top of the standings with ease.
Then, on his second try, Sumit Antil beat it with the final winner, hitting 70.59 meters, setting yet another record. With a fifth effort, he reached 69.04 meters, surpassing the Tokyo 2020 record once more. With a score of 73.29 in the F64 class, Sumit also owns the world record.
Sandeep Choudhary, who was assigned to the F44 category, posted a best throw of 62.80 meters to finish in fourth place for the third consecutive Games. With a throw of 58.03 meters, F44 competitor Sandip Sanjay Sargar placed seventh.
In the F44 division, Australia’s Michal Burian placed third with a throw of 64.89 meters, while Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku established a new world record with a throw of 67.03 meters. There were competitors from the F44 and F64 divisions in the javelin throw final. They both participate in sports programs intended for athletes with limb deficits, such as amputations or limbs that are missing or shortened from birth. These classes of competition are all standing-only events for the athletes.
The impairment affects the legs in classes 42–44, while athletes with a limb deficit competing with a prosthesis are in the F61–64 class.
With her win, Sumit Antil gave India its third gold medal in the current Games. Earlier in the day, badminton player Nitesh Kumar became victorious in the men’s SL3 class, while on Friday, Avani Lekhara successfully defended her SH1 championship in the 10m air rifle shooting category.
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