Sumit Antil betters his own world record to secure the gold medal in the World Para Athletics Championships

Sumit Antil, the para-athlete from India, on Thursday, shattered his own world record to clinch the gold medal in the men's javelin throw F64 category at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris.

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Antil surpassed his previous world record of 68.55 meters, which he set at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. He threw 70.83m in his first attempt in the men's javelin throw F64. Antil also became the fourth Indian to grab a quota for the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The top-four ranked athletes at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in each of the individual medal events qualify for the 2024 Paralympic Games, also to be held in Paris.

⚡️New World Record ⚡️

🇮🇳🥳#Tokyo2020 champion Sumit Antil betters his own world record with a massive throw of 70.83m in 1st attempt in men's Javelin throw F64 finals. Huge congrats @sumit_javelin pic.twitter.com/3TANIgOzk2

— Paralympic India 🇮🇳 (@ParalympicIndia) July 13, 2023

Sumit Antil broke the world record thrice in the men's javelin throw F64 class en route winning India's second gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics earlier this year. As Sumit Antil revels in the glory of his historic win, he continues to redefine what is possible and inspire para-athletes worldwide.

Sumit Antil's incredible journey to success has been nothing short of inspirational. The 25-year-old athlete from Haryana lost his left leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident in 2015. However, instead of letting adversity define him, Antil channeled his energy into sports, particularly javelin throw, where he found his true calling.

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Sumit Antil is the current world no.1 and world record holder in the F64 category. Earlier, he won a silver medal in Paris Open Handisport in 2019. The javelin thrower also came second at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, Italy 2019.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Praveen Kumar won a bronze in the men's high jump T64 event. While Nishad Kumar bagged a silver in the men's high jump T47 final to book two Paralympics quotas. Paralympics silver medalist Yogesh Kathuniya became the third Indian to do so on Wednesday in discus throw.