Sumit Antil continued India’s medal rush at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 with a stupendous performance in the men’s javelin throw F64 final on Monday (August 30). Antil set a world record with his first throw of 66.95m and smashed it thrice to clinch India’s second gold medal in a stunning fashion at the Paralympics.

Leaving many speechless with his brilliant performance, Antil was on top of his game right from the start of the final. He came up with a 66.95m throw in his first attempt to create a world record before breaking it with a 68.08m throw in his second attempt. The Indian para javelin thrower didn’t stop there and remained on top of the points table with a stunning 68.55m throw in his fifth attempt which sealed his gold medal.

Antil’s world record throw of 68.55m saw him finish on top of the points tally in what was a clinical performance from the Indian javelin thrower. He clinched India’s second gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 after shooter Avani Lekhara’s gold medal feat earlier in the day.

Antil has clinched India’s first gold medal in para-athletics for India at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics 2020. The 23-year-old hails from Khewda village in the Sonipat district of Haryana and had aspirations of becoming a wrestler as a teenager. However, his dream of becoming a wrestler was left shattered after he suffered a terrible road accident at the age of 17.

Antil was riding his bike when a tractor hit him from behind and ran over his left leg. While his wrestling dream died down after his accident, he never gave up and took up javelin throw as a para-athlete with the dream of representing India at the highest level. He finally realised his dream of winning a gold medal for the country at the Paralympics on Monday.

With his gold medal, India have now extended its tally to a total of seven medals at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020 so far.