Star javelin thrower Sumit Antil on Monday became the first Indian man and second from the country to defend the title as he won the F64 category gold with Paralympics record of 70.59m at the Paris Games.

The 26-year-old world record holder from Sonipat in Haryana bettered his own earlier Paralympic record of 68.55m set in Tokyo while winning the gold three years ago.

His world record stands at 73.29m.

Sumit Antil Strikes Big

Antil is the second Indian overall after shooter Avani Lekhara to defend Paralympics title. F64 category is for athletes with problems in the lower limb(s), those competing with prosthesis or affected by leg length difference.

In his javelin throw event, Sumit Antil crossed 69.11m in his first attempt and he bettered this distance in his final throw as he crossed the 70m mark to get a distance of 70.59m.

BREAKING: GOLD medal for India 🔥🔥🔥

Sumit Antil wins Gold medal in Javelin Throw F64 event with New PR of 70.59m.

2nd consecutive Paralympics Gold for Sumit. #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/rbqIRJ4EFj
— India_AllSports (@India_AllSports) September 2, 2024

No other competitor in the event crossed the 70m mark as Dulan Kodithuwakku of Sri Lanka picked up the silver medal with his throw of 67.03m and Michal Burian wrapped up the podium as he won bronze with a distance of 64.89m.

Back To Back Golds For Sumit Antil

The gold medal at the Paris Paralympics meant a back to back gold medal for Sumit Antil who had also won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the F64 javelin throw category.

Antil had also set the world record back in the Tokyo Olympics when he had won the gold medal with a throw of 68.55m. Antil broke his previous record now at the Paris Paralympics when he secured a throw of 70.59m.

Fans around the world were ecstatic at the gold medal as praises were showered upon Antil via various social media posts.

- 🥇 in Tokyo Paralympics.
- 🥇 in Paris Paralympics.
- 🥇 in Paris World Championships.
- 🥇 in Kobe World Championships.
- 🥇 in Asian Games.

Sumit Antil is just 26 years old and wherever he plays, he won Only Gold Medals for India - SUMIT, THE ICON OF INDIAN SPORTS. 🇮🇳🐐 pic.twitter.com/WOm4UtNaFK
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) September 2, 2024

Sumit Antil wins gold at Paris Paralympics.

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