Last Updated on 02/09/2024 by Ankita
The stellar performance of Indian players continues in Paris Paralympics 2024. Now Sumit Antil won the gold medal in Men’s Javelin Throw (F 64 category). Sumit won the gold medal by throwing the javelin 70.59 meters in his second attempt. This throw of Sumit Antil was the best throw in the history of Paralympic Games (F64 category).
Sumit also won a gold medal in the Tokyo Paralympics. In this way, he has become the first Indian javelin thrower to defend his gold medal in the Paralympics. With Sumit winning the gold medal, the number of medals of India in the current Paralympic Games has increased to 14. India has so far won three gold, five silver and six bronze medals.
Sumit Antil’s performance in the final:
First throw- 69.11m
Second throw- 70.59 meters
Third throw- 66.66m
Fourth throw – foul
Fifth throw- 69.04 meters
Sixth throw- 66.57 meters
In this event, Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku (67..03 meters) won the silver medal and Australia’s Michael Burian (64.89 meters) won the bronze medal. India’s Sandeep Chaudhary (62.80 meters) finished fourth. In the F64 event, athletes with one leg amputated participate standing with a prosthetic limb (leg).
Medal count for India at Paris Paralympics reaches 1⃣4⃣.
Sumit Antil won the gold medal in the javelin throw F64 event.#Paris2024 #Cheer4India #Paralympics2024 #paraathletics @mansukhmandviya @indiasports @MIB_India @PIB_India @DDNewsLive @paralympicindia @PCI_IN_Official, pic.twitter.com/IV77FvIye0
— Doordarshan Sports (@ddsportschannel) September 2, 2024
Sumit Antil broke his own Paralympic record in this competition. He threw 69.11 meters in the first attempt, which was a new Paralympic record. After this, in the second attempt, he broke his own record once again by throwing the javelin 70.59 meters. Sumit also won the gold medal in the Tokyo Paralympics.
…when Sumit lost his leg in a truck accident
Sumit Antil, a resident of Sonipat in Haryana, was born on 7 June 1998. When Sumit was seven years old, his father Ramkumar, who was posted in the Air Force, died of illness. After the death of his father, mother Nirmala bore every pain and raised the four children. Sumit met with a terrible accident while studying in 12th class. On the evening of 5 January 2015, he was returning on his bike after taking tuition, when a tractor-trolley loaded with cement sacks hit Sumit and dragged him for a long distance.
In this accident, Sumit lost one of his legs. Despite the accident, Sumit never got sad. With the inspiration of relatives and friends, Sumit focused on sports and reached the Sai Center. Where Asian silver medalist coach Virendra Dhankar guided Sumit and took him to Delhi. Here he learned the tricks of javelin throw from Dronacharya Awardee coach Naval Singh.
India’s medallists at Paris Paralympics 2024
1. Avani Lekhara (Shooting) – Gold Medal, Women’s 10m Air Rifle (SH1)
2. Mona Agarwal (Shooting) – Bronze Medal, Women’s 10m Air Rifle (SH1)
3. Preeti Pal (Athletics) – Bronze Medal, Women’s 100m Race (T35)
4. Manish Narwal (Shooting)- Silver Medal, Men’s 10m Air Pistol (SH1)
5. Rubina Francis (Shooting) – Bronze Medal, Women’s 10m Air Pistol (SH1)
6. Preeti Pal (Athletics) – Bronze Medal, Women’s 200m Race (T35)
7. Nishad Kumar (Athletics) – Silver Medal, Men’s High Jump (T47)
8. Yogesh Kathuniya (Athletics) – Silver Medal, Men’s Discus Throw (F56)
9. Nitesh Kumar (Badminton)- Gold Medal, Men’s Singles (SL3)
10. Manisha Ramdas (Badminton)- Bronze Medal, Women’s Singles (SU5)
11. Thulasimathi Murugesan (Badminton)- Silver Medal, Women’s Singles (SU5)
12. Suhas L Yathiraj (Badminton)- Silver Medal, Men’s Singles (SL4)
13. Sheetal Devi-Rakesh Kumar (Archery)- Bronze Medal, Mixed Compound Open
14. Sumit Antil (Athletics) – Gold Medal, Men’s Javelin Throw (F 64 Category)
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)