Olympics

Sumit Antil wins India gold at the Tokyo Paralympics in the F46 Javelin event and sets a new world record

India wins their second gold medal of the day as Sumit Antil broke three world records en route to his victory at the Men’s Javelin F64 category event.

By Aditya Kar

India wins their second gold medal of the day as Sumit Antil broke three world records en route to his victory at the Men’s Javelin F64 category event. This was India’s fifth medal of the day.

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Sumit Antil was in the supreme form today as his first attempt itself set a new record at 66.95 metres which made him top of the leader board. His second throw of 68.08 metres smashed his previous world record and consolidated his position on the board. In his third and fourth attempts, he threw at a distance of 65.27 and 66.71 metres respectively. He hadn’t completed breaking records yet. His fifth attempt led to the javelin travelling 66.85 metres from the starting line. He ended his competition on a mediocre note with a foul throw but that was enough for him to achieve victory in this event and get the gold medal.

Sandeep Chaudhary, his compatriot in the same event, got the fourth position ending up with a personal best of 62.20 metres. Australia’s Michael Burian won the silver medal while Sri Lankan javelin thrower Dulan Kodithuwakku took home the bronze.

The day started with Avani Lekhara winning India’s first gold medal in shooting at the Tokyo Paralympics with her competing in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event. Her total score was 249.6 which equalled the world record. She was also the first woman to win a gold medal in the Paralympics. Other gold medallists before her and Antil in these Games were swimmer Murlikant Petkar (1972), javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia (2004 and 2016), and high jumper Thangavelu Mariyappan (2016).

Devendra Jhajharia won a silver medal for his performance in the men’s javelin throw (F46) event with a best throw of 64.35 metres. His compatriot, Sundar Singh Gurjar clinched the bronze medal with his best throw of 64.01 metres. Yogesh Kathuniya clinched a silver medal in the F56 Men’s Discus Throw today also with his best throw being at 44.38 metres.

Yesterday, India won two silver medals. Paddler Bhavina Patel won silver in Class 4 women’s singles tables tennis. Nishad Kumar bagged the silver medal for his performance in the T47 High Jump event by setting a new Asian record.

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Aditya Kar

Aditya Kar has studied History at both undergraduate and graduate levels and hence, has experience in research and analysis . A football lover, with a strong hold on content writing. Aditya is currently working at BusinessUpturn.com and can be reached at [email protected]

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