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) shall 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 one of the 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 objective 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 advised PTI-Bhasha in an unique interview.
The athlete, who misplaced one in all his limb in a street accident in 2015, gained the gold medal on the Para World Championship in Could this 12 months with an effort of 69.50 metres.
Sumit mentioned: “My throws throughout apply have been fairly constant. I’ve labored onerous on rising power with out altering my method. I’ll attempt to enhance my earlier document.”
When requested in regards to the stress of being defending champion and being the Indian flag bearer, he mentioned, “There is no such thing as a stress proper now however issues shall be identified after reaching Paris. When you attain the Video games village or at competitors venue, issues change into just a little totally different. I’ll attempt to do my finest with out taking stress.”
“I need to take pleasure in this second. For the primary time, such a big and powerful contingent from India goes to the Paralympics and I really feel proud to be the flag bearer,” he added.
The Indian contingent includes 84 athletes throughout 12 disciplines for the Paralympics .
This Padma Shri awardee mentioned, “Being a flag bearer in an occasion like Paralympics is a distinct form of emotion. That is the primary time I shall be part of the opening ceremony of the Paralympics.
“On the time of the Tokyo Paralympics, there have been lots of restrictions as a result of Covid-19 pandemic. I reached late there in keeping with the schedule of my competitors.”
Sumit mentioned that after the Tokyo Paralympics, he centered extra on working towards as a substitute of collaborating in several competitions.
He mentioned, “I’ve participated in very restricted competitions. I’ve spent extra time in apply. Competitions maintain occurring however my purpose is to get a medal for India within the Paralympics and my total focus has been on this for the final three years.”
He mentioned, “I desire 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 supplied with a monitor for Javelin throw and world-class amenities.”
When Sumit was requested whether or not he too was just a little disenchanted with Neeraj Chopra’s silver medal within the Olympics, he mentioned, “Neeraj Bhai carried out very effectively. It could be unsuitable to say that we have been heartbroken by his effort. So much depends upon the day at this degree 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 underneath stress on a stage just like the Olympics. I believe as soon as he crosses the 90m mark, we can have lots of gold medals.”
Sumit mentioned that he has been part of Goal Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) since 2019 and he’s getting all types 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 all the pieces I want for my sport,” he concluded.
Revealed – August 19, 2024 06:28 pm IST
