India’s Sumit Antil breaks world record to win javelin gold at Tokyo Paralympics

Sumit Antil broke the world record thrice in the men’s javelin throw F64 class en route winning India’s second gold medal of the day at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics on Monday.

Sumit Antil threw a new world record of 68.55m to win the gold medal. Australia’s Michal Burian won silver with a best throw of 66.29m (a new F44 world record) while Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku won bronze with a best attempt of 65.61m.

It followed after debutant Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win Paralympic gold in the women’s 10m air rifle shooting standing SH1 class in the morning session with a new Paralympic record.

The 23-year-old Sumit Antil began with a new world record throw of 66.95m in his first attempt, which eclipsed his own existing record of 62.88m. It comfortably placed him at the top of the pile.

Sumit Antil then obliterated it with a throw of 68.08m with his second attempt, making it yet another world record.

After a couple of lean attempts by his own high standards, Sumit Antil’s fifth throw was measured at 68.55m - making it a third new world record in five attempts - and it gave him the gold medal.

Meanwhile, Sandeep Choudhary finished in fourth place in the men’s javelin throw F64 category with a best throw of 62.20m.

The javelin throw final had athletes from both the F44 and F64 categories. Both are part of sports classes designed for athletes with limb deficiencies, such as amputations or missing or shortened limbs from birth. All athletes in these classes compete in a standing position.

In classes 42-44, the legs are affected by the impairment while athletes with a leg deficiency who compete with a prosthesis take part in the F61-64 class.