New Delhi: In a display of sheer grit and precision, para javelin ace Sumit Antil etched his name deeper into history by clinching a third consecutive gold medal at the World Para Athletics Championships, rewriting the record books with a colossal throw of 71.37 metres.
Competing in the men’s F64 category at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the 26-year-old Haryana star unleashed his best effort on his fifth attempt, eclipsing his championship mark of 70.83m set in Paris two years ago. Though he fell just shy of his personal world record of 73.29m, Antil’s performance – starting with a solid 65.59m opener – left rivals trailing, with silver medallist Tom Habscheid of Germany managing 65.26m.
This hat-trick triumph follows Antil’s golden streaks at the 2023 Paris edition, where he first stormed the world record, and Kobe 2024 with a 69.50m effort. Battling a nagging shoulder injury that tested his resolve, Antil dedicated the win to his mother, whose unwavering support has fuelled his journey from a village in Sonipat to global stardom. “This is for Amma, who believed when others doubted,” he said post-victory, eyes glistening with emotion.
The day proved a bonanza for India, with discus thrower Sandip Singh bagging silver in F57 and other athletes swelling the medal tally to nine.
As the championships – hosted on home soil for the first time – draw to a close, Antil’s feat not only cements him as India’s most decorated paraathlete but also inspires a nation dreaming big beyond barriers.
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