Sumit Antil, the reigning Paralympic champion in the men’s javelin throw F64 category, cemented his dominance in Paris by securing his second consecutive gold medal. His remarkable throw of 70.59m not only earned him the top spot but also set a new Games record. This exceptional performance was partly attributed to the invaluable advice he received from none other than Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin throw superstar and Tokyo Olympics champion.
Antil, a native of Sonipat, Haryana, faced a life-altering setback in 2015 when a motorbike accident resulted in the loss of his left leg below the knee. Despite this adversity, he rose above the challenge and achieved remarkable success in his sport, holding the world record of 73.29m and surpassing his own Paralympic best of 68.55m set in Tokyo three years prior.
The 26-year-old athlete revealed that he and Chopra maintain regular communication, engaging in discussions about their sport and strategizing for improvement at least once a month. Chopra’s guidance, particularly his recommendation to avoid introducing any new techniques during competition, proved to be instrumental in Antil’s success. By following this advice, Antil became the first Indian man and the second from the country to successfully defend a Paralympics title.
“I did not speak personally with Neeraj bhai before the Paris Games. I received a message from Neeraj bhai through somebody (Antil’s athlete manager). He said the atmosphere in Paris is very good and it will be a good experience, but don’t try anything new,” Antil shared during a virtual media interaction on Tuesday. “I took his advice, and it was a really good experience for me in the Paris Paralympics.” He continued, “Neeraj bhai and I stay in touch. We interact once every fortnight or month. When we talk, it’s always about our sport. We encourage each other to keep striving for our best and bring laurels to the country.”
When asked about the rationale behind Chopra’s advice, Antil explained, “Athletes can feel nervous on such a big stage. It’s difficult to maintain focus on the techniques. He (Neeraj) must have had something in mind, and he didn’t want me to go through those struggles. Sometimes, the technique you practice on the ground (during training) doesn’t translate to the competition. Javelin throw is an event where technique is paramount.”
Antil had the opportunity to compete alongside Neeraj Chopra at the Indian Grand Prix series 3 held in Patiala on March 5, 2021. The competition featured able-bodied athletes, providing Antil with a valuable platform to showcase his skills amidst them. He secured a seventh-place finish with his best throw measuring 66.43m. On the other hand, Chopra delivered an exceptional performance, shattering his own national record with an impressive throw of 88.07m.
“I went to Patiala in 2021 to understand the differences between para athletes and able-bodied athletes and why para athletes weren’t able to achieve better results. There, I set a then para world record of 66.43m. There’s a significant difference in performance between then and now. Back then, I would throw 66m occasionally, but now I consistently reach 69m, 70m, and 71m. My goal is to surpass 75m in the next one or two years.”
Antil’s sights are set on achieving a hat-trick of gold medals at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028. “It’s easy to reach the top once, but staying there is incredibly difficult. My focus is on top competitions like the World Para Athletics Championships next year, which will be held in India. Our short-term focus is on that,” said Antil, who has also won F64 gold in the 2023 and 2024 editions of the World Para Athletics Championships.
The F64 category is for athletes with impairments in the lower limb(s), including those using prosthetics or affected by leg length differences. “Typically, our peak performance is between the ages of 31 and 32. I’ve won back-to-back gold in Tokyo and Paris, and my ambition is to achieve a hat-trick in Los Angeles.” His “dream target” is to surpass the 80m mark, a challenging feat even for India’s able-bodied javelin throwers. “One day, I would love to cross 80m. I want to experience that feeling,” he shared.
On how he manages focus and pressure, Antil shared, “Being under pressure is normal at such a big stage. We try not to get stressed. I don’t read many books, but I do meditate and watch movies. I prefer sports-related movies, like the one about the 1983 World Cup or ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag,’ before competitions.”
The reigning world champion, Antil is only the second Indian, after shooter Avani Lekhara, to defend a Paralympics title. Avani secured gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event in Paris, following her win in the same event at the Tokyo Games. Antil has also joined an elite group of Indians who have won two Paralympic gold medals. Alongside Antil and Avani, the third member is Devendra Jhajharia, the current President of the Paralympic Committee of India, who won gold in javelin throw F46 at the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio Games.
In addition to his Paralympic achievements, Antil has claimed gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023 and 2024, and topped the podium at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, last year.
