[Watch] Sumit Antil breaks world record in men's javelin throw F64 in Para Asian Games 2023
Paralympics gold medallist and world champion Sumit Antil continued his stellar run at the global level by clinching a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Para Games in the men's Javelin F64 event on Wednesday.
Antil, 25, shattered his own world record with a massive throw of 73.29m in his third attempt. He comprehensively finished at top of the podium with the marking of three of his attempts were way ahead of Sri Lanka's silver medallist S Arachchige Kodithuwakku (64.09m).
On his first attempt of the day, Antil marked 66.22m to better his own Games record- 56.92 set in 2018 - in the F64 category. A 70.83m throw was measured in the second attempt before the third one set the new world record for the Paralympics champion.
Sumit Antil broke his previous feat of 70.83m, which was set at the World Para Athletics Championship earlier in July this year.
Watch the throw here -
Meanwhile, India's Pushpendra Singh claimed the bronze medal with a throw of 62.06m.
Sumit Antil secured Paralympics quota
Sumit Antil won the gold medal at the World Para World Athletics Championship with a 70.83m throw to not just set a world record but also cement his spot at the Paris Paralympics 2024 next year.
The top four athletes from each individual medal event at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships qualified for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
During the Indian Open Athletics International Championships in Bengaluru in May this year, Sumit Antil bettered his Tokyo Paralympics performance with a 70.17m throw.
Antil, who hails from Haryana's Sonipat district, was keen to become a wrestler, inspired by Yogeshwar Dutt's success. However, a tragic accident crushed his dreams but destiny had its own way of rewarding for dedication towards sports.
Rajkumar, a para athlete in the same village, introduced Antil para sports and rest is the history. He added the continental medal to his paralympics and world success.