Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist javelin thrower Sumit Antil needs to enhance upon his world document in his bid to defend his title within the Males’s F64 class on the Paris Paralympics Video games.
Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist Indian javelin thrower Sumit Antil needs to enhance upon his world document in his bid to defend his title within the Males’s F64 class on the Paris Paralympics Video games.
Sumit, together with Bhagyashree Jadhav (shot put, F34 class) might be Indian flag bearer on the opening ceremony of the Paralympics Video games to be held from August 28 to September 8, 2024.
He had set a world document thrice within the Tokyo Paralympics and gained the gold medal with the very best throw of 68.55 metres.
He bettered it with a brand new world document throw of 70.83 meters on the 2023 Para World Championships and additional improved it on the Hangzhou Para Asian Video games (2023) to win the gold with an effort of 73.29 metres.
F64 class offers with issues in Decrease limb/s. Athlete competing with prosthesis affected by limb deficiency and leg size distinction
“My long-term aim is to realize a distance of 80 meters however within the Paris Paralympics, I’ll attempt to win the gold medal with a effort of 75 meters,” the 26-year-old instructed PTI-Bhasha in an unique interview.
The athlete, who misplaced certainly one of his limb in a street accident in 2015, gained the gold medal on the Para World Championship in Might this yr with an effort of 69.50 metres.
Sumit mentioned: “My throws throughout apply have been fairly constant. I’ve labored onerous on growing power with out altering my method. I’ll attempt to enhance my earlier document.”
When requested concerning the strain of being defending champion and being the Indian flag bearer, he mentioned, “There is no such thing as a strain proper now however issues might be recognized after reaching Paris. When you attain the Video games village or at competitors venue, issues grow to be just a little completely different. I’ll attempt to do my finest with out taking strain.”
“I need to take pleasure in this second. For the primary time, such a big and robust contingent from India goes to the Paralympics and I really feel proud to be the flag bearer,” he added.
The Indian contingent contains 84 athletes throughout 12 disciplines for the Paralympics .
This Padma Shri awardee mentioned, “Being a flag bearer in an occasion like Paralympics is a unique type of emotion. That is the primary time I might be part of the opening ceremony of the Paralympics.
“On the time of the Tokyo Paralympics, there have been a number of restrictions as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. I reached late there in line with the schedule of my competitors.”
Sumit mentioned that after the Tokyo Paralympics, he targeted extra on practising as a substitute of collaborating in numerous competitions.
He mentioned, “I’ve participated in very restricted competitions. I’ve spent extra time in apply. Competitions preserve occurring however my goal is to get a medal for India within the Paralympics and my complete focus has been on this for the final three years.”
He mentioned, “I favor to apply in India solely somewhat than overseas. I went to Finland in 2018 however I didn’t really feel a lot enchancment there. I apply at SAI (Sports activities Authority of India) Sonipat centre, which is provided with a observe for Javelin throw and world-class services.”
When Sumit was requested whether or not he too was just a little disillusioned with Neeraj Chopra’s silver medal within the Olympics, he mentioned, “Neeraj Bhai carried out very nicely. It will be unsuitable to say that we had been heartbroken by his effort. Rather a lot relies on the day at this stage of competitors. It wasn’t our day in Tokyo. It was Arshad Nadeem’s ( Gold medal winner) day in Paris.”
He mentioned, “I’m very pleased with Neeraj’s efficiency. It’s tough to ship your season’s finest efficiency beneath strain on a stage just like the Olympics. I feel as soon as he crosses the 90m mark, we can have a number of gold medals.”
Sumit mentioned that he has been part of Goal Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) since 2019 and he’s getting every kind of assist from it.
“I’ve been part of the TOPS scheme since 2019 and since that point I’ve been getting prosthetic legs from overseas. Together with my prosthetics, TOPS supplies every thing I want for my recreation,” he concluded.