Asian Para Games 2023: Sumit Antil creates new world record, wins gold in men's F64 javelin throw

Pushpendra Singh clinched bronze in the same event.

India's Sumit Antil created history by breaking his own world record in men's F64 javelin throw at the ongoing Asian Para Games 2023. Sumit speared the javelin to a distance of 73.29m in his third attempt and bettered his previous best throw of 70.83m by three meters. Other Indian in the same event, Pushpendra Singh went on to bag bronze with a best throw of 62.06m.

The Indian started the proceedings with a decent throw of 66.22m and gradually increased pace in his next throws. In the following throw, Sumit registered 70.48m; which was close to his previous world record and in the third bettered the WR by a fine margin.

This season has been delightful for Sumit, 25, from Haryana. After clinching gold at the World Para Athletics Championships he has showcased his skills at the Continental meet as well. This is also his second Asian Games medal after having won silver in the previous edition.

Meanwhile Sumit Chaudhary finished a credible fourth by registering 61.84m. A total of six athletes participated in the javelin throw event and the silver medal was bagged by Sri Lanka's Arachchige Samitha.

Sumit Antil was introduced to Para athletics in 2016 and in the next year started training under Nitin Jaiswal in Delhi. He rose to fame by clinching a medal at the Asian Para Games 2018 and since then there has been no looking back for the youngster. With this, India has closed down on reaching the 40-medal mark with two medals contributed from athletics.

Later in the day, Simran who clinched silver in women's T12 100m finished second in her heats in women's 200m.