Antil breaks F64 javelin world record for victory

DEBUTANT Sumit Antil (right) smashed his own world record multiple times for the F64 class gold, while veteran Devendra Jhajharia’s F46 category silver cemented his status of being India’s greatest para-athlete as javelin throwers led the country’s track-and-field medal rush at the Paralympics in Tokyo on Monday (30).

Another javelin thrower Sundar Singh Gurjar picked up bronze in Jhajharia’s event.

The man of the moment was, however, the 23-year-old Antil. He smashed his way to the top of the podium with an fifth attempt of 68.55m mark, which was the best of the day and a new world record.

“In training, I have thrown 71m, 72m, many times. I don’t know what happened in my competition. One thing is for sure: in future I will throw much better,” Antil said.

Hailing from Sonepat in Haryana, Antil, who lost his left leg below the knee after he was involved in a motorbike accident in 2015, bettered the previous world record of 62.88m, also set by him, five times on the day. His last throw was a foul. His series read 66.95, 68.08, 65.27, 66.71, 68.55 and a foul.

Australian Michal Burian (with a throw of 66.29m) and Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku (65.61m) took the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The F64 category is for athletes with a leg amputation, who compete with prosthetics in a standing position.

A student of Delhi’s Ramjas College, Antil was an able-bodied wrestler before his accident which led to the amputation of his leg below the knee. A para athlete in his village initiated him into the sport in 2018.

It was tough for him initially after having battled pain and loss of blood because of his prosthetic leg. But Antil never quit and continued his dream of reaching the top.

Antil, whose father was a soldier in the Indian army, also competed against Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in the able-bodied Indian Grand Prix series 3 on March 5 in Patiala, where he finished seventh with a best throw of 66.43m.

He also won a silver in the F64 javelin throw at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai.