Top 5 achievements of Sumit Antil
Sumit Antil is currently the talk of the town after winning a gold medal in javelin throw at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The 26-year-old, who suffered an accident at the age of 17, is now one of the most decorated para athletes in India.
Fans worldwide have shared their wishes to the javelin thrower who has now won five gold medals in his career and is currently the world record holder with a throw of 73.29m.
However, despite his heroics, his heroics are unknown to many. Thus, we have come up with his article to highlight why Sumit Antil should also be called and perhaps deserves to be called India's golden boy in sports.
#1 Gold in Paris Paralympics
Sumit Antil participated in the javelin throw F64 category at the Paris Paralympic Games and became the first Indian man to defend his title at the Games. He set up a new Paralympic record of 70.59m and became India's third gold medal winner at the ongoing Games, after Avani Lekhara and Nitesh Kumar.
#2 Gold in Tokyo Paralympics
August 30, 2021, will always remain a memorable day for Antil, who for the first time won a medal in the Paralympic Games. And notably, it was gold. The Tokyo Paralympics saw India win five gold medals and Antil recorded his first-ever major accomplishment. He registered a throw of 68.55m, which was at that time labelled as the world record.
#3 Gold in Asian Para Games
After winning the Khel Ratna Award and Padma Shri Award in 2021 and 2022, respectively, it was now time for Sumit Antil to shift his focus to the Hangzhou Asian Para Games. The event offered him one more chance, this time to establish himself as the continent's best para javelin thrower.
He didn't disappoint as he won a gold medal once again and registered the aforementioned world record, which stands to date - 73.29m.
#4 Gold in World Championships in Paris
Antil's heroics at the ongoing Paralympics wasn't the first time he returned triumphant from the French capital. Back in 2023 when Paris hosted the World Para Athletics Championships, the 26-year-old won his maiden gold medal at the event and his second major gold medal ever.
Undoubtedly, he was tagged a favorite to win gold at the Asian Para Games, which was scheduled just a few days later.
#5 Gold in World Championships in Kobe
The 2024 World Para Athletics Championships took place in Kobe, Japan, and Sumit Antil continued his fine form from the Hangzhou Asian Para Games. India won six gold medals at the mega event and the javelin thrower was successful in defending his title from Paris a year back.
The triumph in Kobe perhaps acted as a boost in confidence to Antil, who has now defended his title at the Paris Paralympics too.