Sumit Antil, who became a national hero after winning gold in the Tokyo Paralympics, has once again brought glory to India by winning another gold medal in the Paris Paralympics 2024. On Monday, Antil successfully defended his title in the Javelin Throw F64 category with an impressive throw of 70.59 meters. This achievement reaffirms his position as one of the world’s top para-athletes.
A New Milestone for Sumit Antil: The 26-year-old athlete from Sonipat, Haryana, surpassed his previous Paralympic record of 68.55 meters, which he set during his gold-medal performance in Tokyo three years ago. Antil’s current world record remains an outstanding 73.29 meters. By securing his second consecutive Paralympic gold, Antil follows in the footsteps of shooter Avani Lekhara, becoming only the second Indian to successfully defend a Paralympics title.
Dominance in Javelin and Beyond: Sumit Antil is not just a two-time Paralympic gold medalist; he is also a two-time world champion and holds the world record in the Javelin Throw F64 category. He first set a world record at the 2023 World Championships, where he clinched the gold medal with a throw of 70.83 meters. His remarkable consistency and dedication have solidified his reputation as a leading figure in para-sports.
Prime Minister Greets: Antil’s exceptional performance has garnered widespread acclaim, including a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister lauded Sumit’s extraordinary performance and wished him continued success: “Extraordinary performance by Sumit! Congratulations to him for winning the gold in the men’s javelin F64 event! He has shown extraordinary consistency and excellence. Best wishes for the future.”
Suhas Yathiraj Wins Silver in Badminton: In another notable achievement for India, badminton player Suhas Yathiraj secured a silver medal in the men’s singles SL4 category on Monday. Suhas faced a tough challenge in the final against French shuttler Lucas Mazur and had to settle for the silver. With this achievement, Suhas has become the first Indian badminton player to win medals in both the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, further elevating his status in the sport.
India’s Medal Tally at the Paris Paralympics 2024: India has continued its impressive performance at the Paralympic Games, securing a total of 14 medals so far. The medal haul includes 3 gold, 5 silver, and 6 bronze medals, placing India in the 14th position on the medal table. The consistent achievements by Indian athletes in various sports categories are a testament to their hard work, determination, and the growing support for para-sports in the country.
