Just for the record: Javelin thrower Sumit shatters world record multiple times on way to gold

Vinayak Padmadeo

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 30

The smile on Sumit Antil’s face said it all. The 23-year-old from Sonepat’s Khewra village scaled the Paralympics heights with a world record throw of 68.55 metres to win the javelin gold medal in the F64 category.

Antil bettered his own world mark of 66.43m to 66.95m with his first attempt. Bettered it again in his second attempt to 68.08m and then finally lodged his best massive throw to claim the gold medal. Australia’s M Burian finished second with a best attempt of 66.29m, while Sri Lanka’s D Kodithuwakku won the bronze medal with a throw of 65.61m. “I was itching to get my first attempt today. I knew today was my day as I had been throwing over 70m in practice before these Games,” Antil told The Tribune over the phone from Tokyo.

“I was hopeful for a few good throws. There was no pressure on me to create a new record but a gold medal with a new world record is sweeter,” the newest javelin star added.

‘I am here because of my mother’s hard work’

Antil dedicated this medal to his mother Nirmala Devi, who looked after his career as well as the needs of his three elder sisters after the demise of his father in 2004. Antil’s father Ram Kumar, employed with the Air Force, died due to cancer, and the family was totally dependent on the mother.

Antil himself became more dependent after a near fatal accident with a tractor in 2015. His leg was crushed under the weight of the tractor and had to be amputated.

“I am here because of my mother’s hard work. She kept the family together after my father’s demise. It is hard to explain what my mother had to go through to help us all survive,” Antil said.

“Even after I was amputated she kept encouraging me to chart my own course. This medal is down to her strong will and her confidence in my abilities. Of course my coaches including Naval Singh have contributed a lot but like I had said I am here because of her,” he said.

Javelin success

Antil’s medal was the third from the javelin contingent at the Paralympics Games after silver and bronze won by Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar, respectively, in the F46 category. Add the gold won at the Tokyo Olympics by Neeraj Chopra, against whom Antil had competed at the third Indian Grand Prix in March in Patiala, there is a slew of world beaters in the country. Antil agrees that the competition is immense.

“We all know about Neeraj. The field in Tokyo today was also world class. Even Sandeep (Chaudhary, who finished fourth) was unlucky not to win a medal today. This only means that the competition in both abled and disabled fields is huge in the country,” Antil said.

“My wish is to see a clean sweep of medals in either Paralympics or the Olympics. I am sure this will happen,” he added.