In the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics, Sumit Antil threw his javelin to pluck another gold medal for the country and in process, created a new world record.

The heroics of Neeraj Chopra at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 is still fresh and vivid in all our brains. The young 23-year lad helped India’s first and only gold at this year’s Olympics and also its 2nd ever in athletics.

Now, his 23-year-old Paralympian counterpart has done his country proud by bringing a gold.

Contents hide
1. Details
2. Meet Sumit Antil – the New Golden Boy
3. What was Sumit’s Throw Like?
4. Breaking His Own Record – 5 Times!
5. PM, President, Atheletes All Come Forward
6. Indian Paralympians Turn Monday Blues into Monday Golds

Details

“August 30, 2021, Monday” the date is surely going to be written with a golden ink in the history books pertaining to sports in India. Just a day after National Sports Day, Indian Paralympian contingent gave their country the best sports day gift by clinching the shiny gold, silver and bronze medals.

Meet Sumit Antil – the New Golden Boy

With already 7 medals in its kit by the afternoon, India had already tasted the sweet taste of glory. But javelin thrower Sumit Antil wanted to end the day on an even better note. The Harayana domicile sent a throw in the air so monstrous, it shattered all the records, and helped him win the well-earned gold medal.

Also Read: 4 Medals in 1 Hour: How Avani Lekhara, Yogesh Kathuniya, Devendra Jhajharia & Sundar Gurjar Made India Proud

What was Sumit’s Throw Like?

Bearing all the burden of expectations a world number 1 would need to, Sumit broke world record not once or twice, but thrice during the course of the competition. Sumit was playing in the F64 category – a category reserved for those who compete with leg prosthetics after going through a leg amputation. Originally a wrestler from Sonipat, Sumit threw his javelin to a jaw-dropping 68.55m in the 5th of his 6 given attempts and set a new world record.

Breaking His Own Record – 5 Times!

Proving that he was playing in a league of his own – Sumit went on to break his own world record of 62.88m, not once or twice, but 5 times in his all 6 attempts. He was able to shatter the 66m mark in all 5 of his attempts and couldn’t register the same in the sixth one as it was a foul. His attempts read – 66.95m, 68.08m, 65.27m, 66.27m, 68.55m.

To put these number into perspectives, during the final of the 2020 Olympics final, several able-bodied Olympians were in few of their attempts failing to cross the 70m mark.

Also Read: Tokyo Paralympics: Bhavina Patel Pulls Off Upset, Becomes 1st TT Player to Secure Medal for India

PM, President, Atheletes All Come Forward

For his gold clinching performance, netizens ranging from Indian Prime Minister and President, to Indian celebrities, to every common hopeful Indian fan, lauded Antil on Twitter.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi wrote, “Our athletes continue to shine at the #Paralympics! The nation is proud of Sumit Antil’s record-breaking performance in the Paralympics. Congratulations Sumit for winning the prestigious Gold medal. Wishing you all the best for the future.”

Newly appointed Railway and IT Minister Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw also lauded Sumit for his performance and wrote, “Record-breaking performance. A #Gold with a World Record at #Paralympics for India. Congratulations Sumit Antil.

India’s star Olympian and the man with the golden arm Neeraj Chopra also joined the celebration and congratulated his Paralympian counterpart.

Along with these influential netizens, cricketers, political leaders and other slew of celebrities showered their gratitude and appreciation on Antil.

Also Read: PM Modi’s Meet over Breakfast with Olympians: Freshly Churned Churma For Neeraj, Ice-cream For Sindhu and Many More

Indian Paralympians Turn Monday Blues into Monday Golds

Turning blues of a boring Monday into glittery gold, the Indian Paralympic squad gave its nature much to rejoice. Earlier on Sunday, August 29, Indian Paralympians won 2 medals, and on Monday, they continued on their rich form and clinched 5 more.

Javelin star Devendra Jhajharia clinched a silver medal and competing at Paralympics for the first time, Sundar Singh Gurjar won a bronze in the same competition. Yogesh Kathuniya also won a shiny silver medal in discus throwing event.

But perhaps the most glorious moment for the nation came when 19-year-old Avani Lekhara took home a historic gold in the 10m air rifle shooting. Her gold was a historic one as she became the first ever Indian women to win a Paralympic gold medal.