Who is Sumit Antil – India’s star javelin thrower who defended his Paralympics Gold
Sumit Antil clinched India’s third gold of the Paris Paralympics and first in para-athletics.
Star javelin thrower Sumit Antil defended his gold medal in Paris with a 70.59m throw, bettering the Paralympic record he set in Tokyo in 2021. He destroyed the field with his second attempt 70.59m with two other big throws, clocking 69.11m and 69.04m.
The wrestler-turned-javelin thrower clinched India’s third gold of the Paris Paralympics and first in para-athletics. It was India’s fifth medal from para-athletics here. Reigning world champion Antil is the second Indian overall after shooter Avani Lekhara to defend the Paralympics title. He also joined an exclusive three-member club of Indians who have won two Paralympic gold.
Sumit Antil, originally from Sonipat, Haryana, faced a life-altering event when he lost his leg in an accident on his way home from a coaching class. Sumit was a promising wrestler; his career was abruptly halted postamputation. With support from his father’s Air Force service, Sumit received treatment at the Army Hospital and a prosthetic leg was attached on his left lower limb.
Initially struggling to adjust, he found a new purpose after meeting Rajkumar, a para-athlete from his village, who introduced him to Para Games. Despite enduring severe pain and numerous hardships, Sumit persisted, supported by his family and friends, and committed to daily self-improvement.
Sumit Antil’s resilience and dedication led him to break his own world records four times, culminating in a record-breaking throw of 73.29m at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games. This remarkable achievement stands as the longest throw in para-athletics across all categories. Since his breakthrough performance at the Tokyo Games, Sumit has emerged as a prominent figure in Indian Paralympic sports, inspiring many with his extraordinary accomplishments and unbeatable spirit.
About Sumit Antil
Date of Birth: June 7, 1998
Home Town: Sonipat, Haryana
Discipline: Men’s Javelin Throw F42-44/61-64
Trains at: SAI Sonipat
Disability Category: f64 (lower limb/s competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference)
Achievements:
- Paralympic Games (2020) – Gold Medal (WR)
- Asian Para Games (2022) – Gold Medal (WR)
- World Para Athletics Championship (2024) – Gold Medal
- World Para Athletics Championship (2023) – Gold Medal (WR)
Key Government Intervention:
- 4 Foreign Exposures in France, China, Japan
- Financial Assistance for Training & Competition
- Continuous training facility including boarding & lodging at SAI Sonipat
- Financial Assistance towards procurement of Javelin & Prosthesis
- Financial Assistance extended towards expert service of coach
- Out of Pocket Allowance under TOPS
