Indian sports has never seen such a day. It rained medals for India, literally, on Monday. Hours after shooter Avani Lekhara became the first-ever Indian woman to win an individual gold medal at either Paralympics or Olympics, Sumit Antil created a new world record to win in men's javelin throw - F64. (More Sports News)
After starting with a throw of 66.95m, Sumit set the new record with a throw of 68.08 in his second attempt. The previous world record, also in his name, was 62.88m, which he created in Dubai in 2019. The F64 category is for athletes with a leg amputation, who compete with prosthetics in a standing position.
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But that's not over. He returned for a monster throw of 68.55 in his fight attempt. The 23-year-old from Sonepat in Haryana lost his left leg below the knee after he was involved in a motorbike accident in 2015.
A student of Delhi's Ramjas College, Antil was an able-bodied wrestler before his accident which led to the amputation of his leg below the knee.
Notably, he also competed against Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in the able-bodied Indian Grand Prix series 3 on March 5 in Patiala.
In one inspired evening in Tokyo, Antil produced throws of - 66.95, 68.08, 65.27, 66.71 and 68.55. His final attempt, however, returned a foul throw. And it didn't matter.
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Another Indian competitor in the event, Sandeep Chaudhary finished fourth with a best throw of 62.20.
Sri Lanka's Dulan Kodithuwakku kept Antil on his toes during the 10-man final with throws of 62.11, 59.81, 63.49, 65.61, 61.64 and 65.05, but it was Australia's Michal Burian who took the silver with a best throw of 66.29 in his final attempt.
This was India's last medal event for the day, and the country has won two golds, two silvers and a bronze. Yesterday, India won a silver and two bronze.
But one of the bronze medals, that of discus thrower Vinod Kumar's was declared ineligible after being found ineligible in the disability classification assessment.
Earlier, two-time gold-winning javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia clinched a stupendous third Paralympic medal, a silver this time, while discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya also finished second as India surpassed its best-ever medal tally at the Games.
Sundar Singh Gurjar also chipped in with a bronze, finishing behind Jhajharia in the men's javelin throw F46 final.
Now, India's medal count has risen to eight, including two golds, three more than the four secured in the 2016 Rio Games.
