Sumit Antil created history in the 2024 Paris Paralympics by winning the gold medal in the men's javelin throw F64 competition. Antil broke the Paralympics record twice on Monday (September 2) en route to the title, which saw him achieve a feat never done by an Indian before.
Sumit has become the first Indian male athlete in history to defend his Paralympic gold medal. He is only the second Indian after Devendra Jhajharia to win multiple gold medals. Jhajharia had won the gold in the 2004 Athens and 2016 Rio de Janeiro games. Avani Lekhra was the first Indian in history to achieve the feat as she won gold in both Tokyo and Paris.
Antil had earlier won the gold medal in the 2021 Tokyo Games with a then-world record throw of 68.55 m. Later, he set the world record in the 2023 Para Asian Games in Hangzhou last year with a throw of 73.29 m. While Antil could not beat the world record, he broke his Paralympics record twice in his first two throws of the night of 69.11 m and 70.59 m.
Antil is now both a two-time world and Paralympic champion. He was crowned the world champion with a gold medal in both the 2023 and 2024 Para Athletics World Championships in Kobe and Paris, respectively. Antil's medal culminates an incredible day for the country as India confirmed as many as seven medals on the day.
Overall, the Indian contingent in Paris has now won a total of 14 medals which include three golds, five silvers and six bronze medals. India are currently 14th on the medals tally.
Alongside Antil, shooter Avani Lekhara and shuttler Nitesh Kumar have won a gold medal. Overall, India have won 12 gold medals in the history of the Paralympics out of which two have been won by Antil.