Paralympics: Sumit Antil becomes India's second man with multiple medals
Sumit Antil scripted history by becoming the second man to clinch multiple medals at the Paralympics. Antil secured the gold medal in the F64 category at the Paris Games, setting a new Paralympics record with a throw of 70.59 meters. He surpassed his previous mark attained at the Tokyo Games. Antil, who secured gold in Tokyo, has become the first Indian man to successfully defend a Paralympics title.
Antil enters record books
Antil's victory marked India's third gold medal at the ongoing Paris Paralympics and the first in para-athletics. It was India's first gold from para-athletics at the Paris Games. Antil revealed that he had been competing while managing a back injury that he suffered in 2023. "My back pain is not yet completely healed; I was feeling it in the last two training sessions," Antil said after winning the gold.
Antil joins elite group of Indian athletes
Antil has joined Avani Lekhara as the second Indian to defend a Paralympic gold medal. Lekhara won the gold medal in women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the ongoing event. She claimed gold in the same event at the Tokyo Games. Devendra Jhajharia remains the only other Indian to have won multiple Paralympics gold medal. He secured gold in javelin throw F46 at Athens 2004 and Rio 2016 Games.
Antil's journey to Paralympic success
It is worth noting that Antil lost his left leg in a tragic motorbike accident in 2015. Antil, a Ramjas College student from Delhi, was fond of wrestling before venturing into javelin throw. He scripted history at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, clinching the gold medal with the best throw of 68.55m. He improved this record at the 2023 Para World Championships with a throw of 70.83m. He then threw a record 73.29m at the 2023 Hangzhou Para Asian Games.
