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Sumit Antil, India's history-making javelin thrower, has overcome adversity to defend his Paralympic title in the F64 category. Carrying a back injury for over a year, Antil's path to glory was paved with sacrifices and sleepless nights.On the advice of his physiotherapist, Antil reluctantly gave up his beloved sweets and shed 12 kilograms in two months. This sacrifice paid off as he clinched gold with a record throw of 70.59m, surpassing his previous Paralympic best of 68.55m.Antil's back injury, sustained in 2023, has been a constant challenge. He has relied on painkillers and precautions to protect his back during training and competitions. After his return to India, his first priority will be to address this injury.Antil's coach, Arun Kumar, has played a pivotal role in his success. Kumar has meticulously planned Antil's schedule and provided unwavering support. Antil also credits CrossFit workouts and sprints for his improved performance.Despite the pressure and expectations, Antil has remained humble and focused. He acknowledges the support of his team and the responsibility that comes with his success.Antil's journey to the Paralympics began in 2015 after a tractor accident led to the amputation of his left leg below the knee. Undeterred, he found his passion in javelin and has since become a champion in the F64 category, designated for athletes with lower limb impairments.

The Indian Paralympic contingent, led by star javelin thrower Sumit Antil, has embarked on its journey to the Paris Paralympics with the aim of securing an unprecedented five gold medals and a total of 12 medals. The first batch of 16 para athletes will acclimatize to the conditions in Paris before entering the Games Village on August 25.Antil, who is aiming to become the first Indian to defend his Paralympics gold, will train at facilities near the French capital to adjust to the weather conditions. Para athletics events will be held at Stade de France, the same venue where the able-bodied athletes competed during the Paris Olympics.Para-athletics head coach Satyanarayana expressed confidence in the team's medal prospects, stating, "We are aiming for at least five gold and 12 medals in total. This will be our best performance in the Paralympics." India's hopes are buoyed by their success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, where they finished sixth in the medal tally with six gold, five silver, and six bronze medals.In addition to Antil, other medal contenders include Deepthi Jeevanji (women's 400m T20), Sachin Khilari (men's shot put F46), Ekta Bhyan (women's club throw F51), Simran Sharma (women's 200m T12), and Mariyappan Thangavelu (men's high jump T42).India is sending its largest ever team of 84 athletes across 12 sports to the Paralympics, with 38 from the para-athletics team. Paralympic Committee of India President Devendra Jhajharia has predicted at least 25 medals from the Paris Games.Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav, who won a silver in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in women's shot put F34, will be the joint flag bearers for India during the Opening Ceremony, which will be held outside a stadium for the first time. The ceremony will take place from Champs-Elysees to Place de la Concorde in the heart of Paris.

Sumit Antil, India's javelin throw champion, is gearing up for the upcoming Paralympics in Paris with unwavering determination. Inspired by Neeraj Chopra's recent silver medal at the Paris Olympics, Antil aims to defend his Tokyo 2020 title and push the boundaries of his sport.Antil, who will be one of the flag-bearers for India at the Paralympics, has drawn immense motivation from Chopra's performance at the Stade de France. He believes that Chopra's resilience and ability to perform under pressure are qualities he aspires to emulate."Neeraj bhai's throw was a great effort. It came after he was carrying an injury, which shows his mental strength," said Antil. "I'm taking inspiration from him and trying to stay cool and steady in my preparation."Antil, who competes in the F-64 category, has a remarkable track record. At Tokyo, he broke the world record thrice, culminating in a gold medal-winning throw of 68.55 meters. He has since continued his winning streak, claiming back-to-back gold medals at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris and Kobe.Despite his success, Antil remains grounded and acknowledges the challenges of his sport. He is currently managing a minor back injury, but is confident that it will not hinder his performance in Paris."We are very conscious about injuries this time," said Antil. "I have a minor back injury, but I'm working on it and I'm confident that I will be ready for the competition."Antil's journey to the top has been marked by resilience and determination. After losing his left leg in an accident in 2015, he found solace in javelin throwing. With the support of his family and his own unwavering spirit, he has overcome adversity and become a beacon of inspiration for others."I have become more consistent since Tokyo," said Antil. "The expectations have increased, but I have also become more disciplined. I'm confident that I can perform well in Paris and bring back a good result."Antil's ultimate goal is to reach the 80-meter mark, a testament to his unwavering ambition and the limitless potential of the human spirit.

Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil, India's javelin thrower, has set his sights on improving his world record and defending his title in the Men's F64 category at the Paris Paralympics Games in 2024. Antil, along with Bhagyashree Jadhav (shot put, F34 category), will be the Indian flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics Games, which will be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024.Antil, who lost one of his limbs in a road accident in 2015, has been on a remarkable journey since then. He set a world record thrice in the Tokyo Paralympics and won the gold medal with the best throw of 68.55 meters. He bettered it with a new world record throw of 70.83 meters at the 2023 Para World Championships and further improved it at the Hangzhou Para Asian Games (2023) to win the gold with an effort of 73.29 meters."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," the 26-year-old told PTI-Bhasha in an exclusive interview.Antil has been working hard on increasing his strength without changing his technique. He believes that his throws during practice have been quite consistent and that he can improve upon his previous record.When asked about the pressure of being defending champion and being the Indian flag bearer, Antil said, "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.The Indian contingent comprises 84 athletes across 12 disciplines for the Paralympics. Antil, who is a Padma Shri awardee, said, "Being a flag bearer in an event like Paralympics is a different kind of emotion. This is the first time I will be a part of the opening ceremony of the Paralympics."After the Tokyo Paralympics, Antil focused more on practicing instead of participating in different competitions. He said, "I have participated in very limited competitions. I have spent more time in practice. Competitions keep going on, but my aim is to get a medal for India in the Paralympics, and my entire focus has been on this for the last three years."Antil prefers to practice in India rather than abroad. He said, "I went to Finland in 2018, but I did not feel much improvement there. I practice at SAI (Sports Authority of India) Sonipat center, which is equipped with a track for Javelin throw and world-class facilities."Antil is also a part of the Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) since 2019 and is getting all kinds of help from it. "I have been a part of the TOPS scheme since 2019, and since that time, I have been getting prosthetic legs from abroad. Along with my prosthetics, TOPS provides everything I need for my game," he concluded.

Indian Paralympians Sumit Antil and Bhagyashree Jadhav to Bear the Flag at Paris ParalympicsTokyo Paralympics gold medalist Sumit Antil and Asian Para Games silver medalist Bhagyashree Jadhav have been chosen as the Indian flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the Paris Paralympics. The announcement was made by Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) chief Devendra Jhajharia."Antil and Bhagyashree have been consistent performers over the years. They will be Indian flag-bearers at the Paris Paralympics' athletes march past," Jhajharia stated.Sumit Antil, a javelin thrower from Haryana, made history at the Tokyo Paralympics by winning the gold medal in the F64 category with a world record throw of 68.55 meters. He continued his winning streak by securing a gold medal at the World Para Championships and breaking his own record at the Asian Para Games with an impressive throw of 73.29 meters.Bhagyashree Jadhav, a shotputter competing in the F34 category, earned a silver medal at the Asian Para Games. She has also achieved success at the FAZZA World Cup.The Indian contingent for the Paris Paralympics, scheduled from August 28 to September 8, comprises 84 athletes representing 12 disciplines. India's performance at the Tokyo Paralympics was remarkable, with the team bringing home 19 medals.Antil and Jadhav's selection as flag-bearers is a testament to their exceptional achievements and dedication to their sport. Their presence at the head of the Indian contingent will undoubtedly inspire and motivate their fellow athletes.

Reigning Paralympic champion Sumit Antil defended his F64 javelin throw world title in emphatic fashion at the World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan. The Indian star hurled his spear to a distance of 69.50m, leaving his rivals trailing in his wake. Compatriot Sandeep added to India's medal tally with a bronze medal in the same event, with a throw of 60.41m.Tokyo Paralympics silver winner Thangavelu Mariyappan continued India's golden run by claiming the gold medal in the T63 high jump. Mariyappan soared to a championship record of 1.88m, showcasing his exceptional athleticism.Ekta Bhyan also contributed to India's medal haul by securing the gold medal in the women's F51 club throw competition. Bhyan unleashed a season's best throw of 20.12m, leaving her opponents in her dust. Kashish Lakra added to India's success in the same event, taking home the silver medal with an effort of 14.56m.India's impressive performance at the World Para Athletics Championships is a testament to the country's growing prowess in para-athletics. The athletes' determination and resilience have brought glory to India and inspired countless others.