India’s Sumit Antil successfully defended his Paralympic javelin gold medal, setting a new Games record with a throw of 70.59 meters during the competition in Paris on Monday.
Antil showcased his prowess with a first throw of 69.11 meters, followed by a record-breaking 70.59 meters on his second attempt in the F64 category. He maintained his strong performance with a third throw of 66.66 meters.
Although he fouled on his fourth attempt, Antil concluded the event with further solid throws of 69.04 meters and 66.57 meters on his fifth and sixth attempts. No other competitor surpassed the 70-meter mark.
The 26-year-old world record holder from Sonipat, Haryana, exceeded his previous Paralympic record of 68.55 meters, set during his gold-winning performance in Tokyo three years ago. Antil’s current world record stands at an impressive 73.29 meters.
He is now only the second Indian athlete, after shooter Avani Lekhara, to successfully defend a Paralympic title. The F64 category is reserved for athletes with lower limb impairments, including those using prosthetics or with differences in leg length.