Sumit Antil, the reigning Paralympic javelin champion, once again proved his dominance in the event at the Paris 2024 Games. He not only successfully defended his title but also etched his name in the record books by breaking the world record twice.
Antil’s first throw of the final was a massive 69.11m, surpassing his own previous Paralympic record of 68.55m set in Tokyo. He then went one better with a sensational 70.59m throw on his second attempt, cementing his position at the top of the podium.
Despite the pressure of defending his title and the expectations of a nation, Antil remained focused on improving his performance. “I didn’t think about the record,” he said after the competition. “I thought about bettering my personal best (73.29m – the current WR mark for F64). We get so many facilities so the push is to validate all that with performances that improve with each try. That’s our responsibility. The only aim is to throw better today than I did yesterday.”
His path to victory wasn’t without its challenges. A persistent back injury had been plaguing him for months, impacting his performance. “I didn’t have an injury before Tokyo. A back issue has been plaguing my performance for the past few months. It’ll get alright, it just needs some rest but I was participating in back-to-back events and didn’t get time to give my back the rest it needed,” Antil explained.
The injury not only affected his throwing technique but also impacted his weight control, making it essential for him to follow a strict diet. Antil’s determination to overcome these obstacles and achieve his goal was evident in his performance.
Antil’s dominance in the javelin throw is reminiscent of pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, who consistently pushes his own limits to set new world records. Similarly, Antil’s ambition is unwavering. “While my opponents aim for the 70m mark, I have long set my sights on clearing 80 metres,” he asserted.
Looking ahead, Antil has his sights set on the World Championships next year, which India hopes to host. His ultimate goal is to secure another world record on home soil. “The idea will be to perfect my body and technique as much as possible by then and give my best there.”
With the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics also on the horizon, Antil is confident about his chances of a three-peat. “As far as LA 2028 is concerned, I am 26 now. By then I’ll be 30. In our game, the peak age is around 31-32. It will be quite great to top the podium there too. The efforts will certainly be in that direction.”
Antil’s achievements are a testament to his unwavering dedication, resilience, and relentless pursuit of excellence. His journey inspires countless individuals and serves as a shining example of the incredible potential within para-sports.
