India’s para-athlete Sumit Antil broke his own world record to clinch the gold medal at the Para World Championships 2023, in Paris. Antil’s gold medal came in the men’s javelin throw F64 category on Thursday, July 12. The 25-year-old javelin thrower won the top prize at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics after he hurled the javelin a distance of 68.55m. In the event on Thursday, Antil surpassed his personal best record to throw the javelin at a distance of 70.83m in his first attempt.
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With his gold at the Para World Championships 2023, Antil has also become the fourth Indian to grab a quota at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. The World Number 1 and world record holder in the F64 category, Sumit Antil now aims to secure India’s gold at the forthcoming 2024 mega tournament.
Notably, the top four ranked athletes at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in each of the individual medal events automatically qualify for the 2024 Paralympics, slated to be hosted in Paris, France.
The ongoing Para World Championships 2023 is the 10th edition of the tournament which began on July 8, where on Tuesday, India’s Praveen Kumar won a bronze in the men’s high jump T64 event. Not only this, but Nishad Kumar bagged silver for India in the men’s high jump T47 event.
With their respective wins, both athletes have booked their spots for the 2024 event. In addition, Yogesh Kathunia clinched another silver in the discus throw on Wednesday, July 12 and booked a slot for the country in the major tournament happening next year.
