Tokyo Paralympics: India’s Sumit Antil on Monday set a new world record to win the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw (F64) event at the ongoing Tokyo Paralympics. With the best throw of 68.85 m in the final in Japan, he took India’s medal count to 7.
Sumit began with a throw of 66.95m to top the standings after round 1 and set a new world record. He then consolidated his position with his second throw of 68.08m and smashed the previous world record. In the third and fourth throws, respectively, he threw 65.27m and 66.71.
However, Sumit wasn’t done yet. He set a third new world record on his fifth attempt, throwing the javelin 66.85m from the starting line. He capped off the historic grand finale with a foul thro
His comptariot, Sandeep Chaudhary, finished fourth in the competition with a personal best of 62.20m.
While Australia’s Michael Burian bagged silver, Sri Lanka’s Dulan Kodithuwakku took home bronze.
Earlier on Monday, the Indian contingent began the day by winning four medals in a span of one hour. The first medal of the day, which was India’s fifth, was clinched by shooter Avani Lekhara. She won India’s first medal in shooting at the Tokyo Paralympics in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event on Monday. Lekhara won the gold medal with a total score of 249.6 in the final, equalling the world record.
On Sunday, India had won two medals with star paddler Bhavinaben Patel won a silver in women’s singles table tennis class 4. Later, Nishad Kumar earned the country its second medal by winning silver in the T47 event on Sunday. He set an Asian record.
