Sumit Antil is a highly accomplished Indian para javelin thrower specializing in the F64 category. Born on June 7, 1998, in Sonipat, Haryana, he lost his left leg below the knee in a motorbike accident in 2015. Despite this, he became one of the world’s premier para-athletes with a stellar career marked by multiple gold medals and world records.
Career and Achievements
Antil began para-athletics training in 2017. He rose quickly through national and international ranks, breaking his first world record in 2019.
- He won his first Paralympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics with a world record throw of 68.55m, later improving it further during the event.
- In 2022, he won gold at the Asian Para Games with a new world record throw of 73.29m.
- He is also a multiple-time gold medalist at the World Para Athletics Championships, securing titles in 2023 (Paris), 2024 (Kobe), and more recently demonstrating a championship record throw of 71.37m.
- In the 2024 Paris Paralympics, he became the first Indian male para-athlete to defend his Paralympic title, winning gold with a Paralympic record of 70.59m.
- Sumit holds six world records in his category.
He has won gold at home in the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 held in New Delhi. He clinched the gold medal with a Championship Record throw of 71.37 meters, bettering his own previous mark. This victory marks his third consecutive World Championship gold.
Stats and Records
- World record throws: 73.29m (Asian Para Games 2022), 70.83m (World Championships 2023), and Paralympic records of 68.55m (Tokyo 2020) and 70.59m (Paris 2024).
- Multiple gold medals at major international events: two Paralympics (2020, 2024), Asian Para Games, and multiple World Championships.
- Known for consistently breaking his own records and setting new marks in his category.
Sumit Antil’s journey from a wrestling aspirant to a world-record-breaking para javelin thrower is marked by resilience, determination, and extraordinary success on the global stage, making him one of the most celebrated para-athletes of India.
