Sumit Antil Wins Gold For India in Men’s Javelin at Tokyo Paralympics

Sumit Antil brings in gold…learn more…

Tuesday, 31st August 2021

Sumit Antil from India won a gold medal in men's javelin (F64) at the Tokyo Paralympics, also making a new world record throw of 68.55m.

During the finals on Monday in Tokyo, Antil smashed the world record not once, but three times. In his first attempt, he threw 66.95m setting a new world record. He then went on to better his own record with his second throw. On his fifth attempt, he yet again set a new record with a throw of 68.55m.

India’s Sandeep Chaudhary, with a best throw of 62.20m, finished fourth in the same event.

The silver medal was bagged by Australia's Michal Burian with a best attempt of 66.29m and Sri Lanka's Dulan Kodithuwakku won the bronze.

Right after his first throw, Antil had set the bar and put himself in a position of advantage along with breaking the existing world record in the F64 category, a record that was also set by him. He then went to set the world record again in his second attempt with a throw of 68.08m.

In the third and fourth attempts Antil’s throws were 65.27 and 66.71m respectively, but till then he was already far ahead in the competition leaving his opponents behind and out of any position of threat.

Again in the fifth attempt, he threw 68.55m and set a world record for the third time in the same day. This clinched India’s second gold medal at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics.

Earlier at the Paralympics, shooter Avani Lekhara won a gold for the country and also made history by becoming the country’s first Indian woman to win gold at the Paralympics.

More medals were lined up for India as earlier that day, javelin throwers Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar brought home silver and bronze respectively in the men's javelin (F46) final.

This also happens to be India’s best ever year at the Paralympic Games with seven medals already won at the ongoing games.

The News Talkie Bureau

Source-

Hindustantimes