How Sumit Antil overcame odds to set new benchmark in para javelin throw
His spirit is remarkable as neither losing his father to cancer or the life-changing accident bogged him down
Six years ago, an accident changed Sumit Antil's life. Antil's left leg had to be amputated and it ended his dream of becoming a wrestler. But soon after, the youngster from Haryana picked up the javelin and launched a new dream.
His spirit is remarkable -- neither losing his father to cancer nor the accident bogged him down. Antil, the youngest of the four children in his family, kept going despite the odds stacked against him and achieved remarkable heights with his winning spirit.
“Kushti aur padhai mein kuch karke naukri lagne ka sapna tha. (I had plans to get a job through wrestling and also focusing on studies). But the accident changed things. When it happened, I was conscious and made the call to the ambulance. Later, doctors told me about the need to amputate my leg,” Antil told The Indian Express.
Antil is blessed with a mind that is quick to adjust to the situation and his 53-day long stay at the hospital is a testament to that.
“I would search videos about para-athletes on my phone... After I was discharged from the hospital, I went to Pune for the prosthetic leg certain that I would join sports again,” Antil said.
After taking to para javelin throw, he has scaled several heights. The most recent came at the Indian Grand Prix last week where he threw the spear to 66.43 m and broke his compatriot Sandeep Chaudhary's world record - 66.18 m - in the javelin's F44 and F64 categories.
Significantly, Tokyo-bound star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was also present in Patiala. His effort, however, earned him praises from Chopra and Shivpal Singh.
“Because of the pandemic, I was competing in my first meet since the 2019 Worlds. After our para national body gave me permission to compete in the Indian Grand Prix, I was very excited. I was only thinking about my performance. I was motivated to see Neeraj Bhai and Shivpal Bhai throw over 80m that evening. And to have them applaud my effort was my biggest reward,” Antil said.
Troubles have been a part and parcel for Antil. And in the run-up to Tokyo, he broke his imported prosthetic leg in his attempt to set the new world record, which remains a primary concern for him ahead of the mega event.