New Delhi: Sumit Antil, who won a gold medal in the Tokyo Paralympics 2020, will enter the Paris edition of the Games with high hopes, looking to defend his elite title when he takes the field in men’s javelin throw in a few days. Antil, who has been named as an Indian flag bearer for the opening ceremony along with Bhagyashree Jadhav (shot put, F34 category) said that he wants to improve upon his world record in the Men’s F64 category at the Paris Paralympics Games.
The Games will be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024. Antil is well known for his exploits in the game as he set a world record thrice in the Tokyo Paralympics and clinched the gold metal with a best throw of 68.55 metres. He went on to improve his own records with a new world record throw of 70.83 meters which he registered at the 2023 Para World Championship.
This wasn’t it as he further improved it at the Hangzhou Para Asian Games 2023 with a throw of 73.29 metres to clinch the gold medal. The category F64, in which Antil is enrolled, deals with problems in the lower limb/s and has an athlete taking part in the Games with a prosthesis, being affected by limb deficiency and leg length difference.
Antil revealed his “long-term goal” saying that, “My long-term goal is to achieve a distance of 80 meters but in the Paris Paralympics, I will try to win the gold medal with an effort of 75 meters,” Antil told PTI-Bhasha.
The 26-year-old athlete had lost one of his limbs in a road accident in 2015. He again clinched a gold medal, this time at the Para World Championship in May this year with a throw of 69.50 metres.
Sumit Antil reflects on Paris Paralympics
Antil also talked about his throws during the practice saying that they have been quite consistent and that he has worked hard on increasing his strength without changing the technique. “I will try to improve my previous record,” he said.
He was also asked about feeling any pressure about defending the gold medal to which he replied, “There is no pressure right now but things will be known after reaching Paris. Once you reach the Games village or at the competition venue, things become a little different. I will try to do my best without taking pressure.”
“I want to enjoy this moment. For the first time, such a large and strong contingent from India is going to the Paralympics and I feel proud to be the flag bearer,” he added. India have sent a contingent comprising 84 athletes who will take part across 12 disciplines for the Paralympics.
(With PTI inputs)
Sumit Antil will be one of two flagbearers for India at the Paris Paralympics 2024 opening ceremony. He will look to defend his gold medal in the men’s javelin throw event. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
