WORLD RECORD AND A GOLD! Javelin thrower Sumit Antil wins gold with World Record throw of 68.55m

Tokyo, Aug 30: The medal-winning streak continues for India as Sumit Antil won gold in the men's javelin throw (Sport Class F64) here at Tokyo Paralympics. It is not only gold for the athlete but also the world record. He improved the World Record three times in the final as threw a monstrous throw of 68.55m in his fifth attempt to climb on the top of the podium.

 

 

Sumit who went first in the field gave an almost uphill task to all contenders as he started the final by breaking his own World Record with a throw of 66.95m. The previous world record was 62.88m, which Sumit improved by almost 4 meters in his very first attempt.

 

Sumit looked like he will go for another better attempt as he threw javelin for another world record in the second attempt of the final for 68.08m. The Indian improved the previous best which he created on his first attempt by 1.13 meters. Meanwhile, Sandeep's second attempt was invalid while for the third he went for 62.20m which landed him in the fourth position.

 

 

However, in the third and fourth attempts, Sumit threw 65.27m and 66.71m. And later, for his fifth attempt, the Indian again went big and this time again shattered the world record with a throw of 68.55m. Another Indian in the final Sandeep Chaudhary finished fourth with a season-best of 62.20m.Sandeep meanwhile went for 61.13m in his first attempt.

 

Earlier in the day, javelin throwers Devendra Jhajharia and Sundar Singh Gurjar won silver and bronze respectively in the men's Standing Javelin (F46). Devendra Jhajharia grabbed silver with a personal best throw of 64.35m. This was also his third medal at Paralympic Games. Meanwhile, Sundar captured bronze with a season-best throw of 62.58m.

 

 

Today, it is raining medals as four medals including gold were bagged. First, it was Avani Lekhara who created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win gold at Paralympic Games. Secondly, in men’s discus throw, Yogesh Kathuniya won silver. Later, it was javelin throwers Devendra Jhajharia grabbing silver and Sundar Singh Gurjar winning bronze.

 

 

With these victories, it has helped India surpass their best ever Paralympics medal tally with a week still to go in the Tokyo Paralympics. India has already won seven medals in this edition of the Paralympics, including two gold in just the first six days. This is by far India's best-ever performance in the Paralympics - an event they have been competing in since 1968!