Reigning Paralympic Champion Sumit Antil successfully defended his World Para Athletics Championships title, clinching the gold medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw F64 final with a monstrous throw of 71.37m. The mark set a new Championship Record, bettering his own previous record of 70.83m from 2023.
The Indian star, cheered on by Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra in the stands, dominated the field at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, securing his third consecutive World Championships gold. This historic win makes him the most successful Indian athlete in the history of the championships.
Antil’s winning throw came on his fifth attempt, solidifying his status as the undisputed champion in the F64 category. While the 27-year-old fell short of his own World Record of 73.29m, he expressed satisfaction with the Championship Record, noting that he had overcome some shoulder soreness leading up to the event.
The F64 classification is for athletes with lower limb impairments who compete using a prosthesis. Antil’s incredible performance was a key highlight on a day that saw Indian para-athletes deliver their best single-day medal haul of the championships, contributing to India’s rise in the medal tally. Colombia’s Tomas Felipe Soto Mina took silver with 48.38m, highlighting the massive gulf in class.
