Target was to touch 70m, says Sumit Antil after winning gold in Tokyo Paralympics

Sumit Antil competes in the men`s javelin throw F64 final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games. Pic AP/PTI

India's Sumit Antil very comprehensively won gold in the men's javelin throw (Sport Class F64) at National Stadium in Tokyo.

Sumit dominated the show from the word go as he improved the world record three times in the final. He threw a monstrous throw of 68.55m in his fifth attempt to climb on the top of the podium. Australia's Michal Burian won silver with a throw of 66.29m and created a new world record in Sport Class F44. Dulan Kodithuwakku of Sri Lanka captured bronze while creating his personal best. Another Indian in the final Sandeep Chaudhary finished fourth with a season-best of 62.20m.

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. Sandeep meanwhile went for 61.13m in his first attempt.

Sumit looked like a man on a mission 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.

The man in red-hot form, Sumit threw 65.27m and 66.71m in the third and fourth attempt. For his fifth attempt, the Indian again went big and this time again shattered the world record with a throw of 68.55m.

The para-athlete couldn't contain his excitement and said despite breaking the world record three times, he wanted to touch a target of 70m in the final event.

Family members and friends of para javelin thrower Sumit Antil celebrated his achievement by dancing in Haryana's Sonipat.

PM Narendra Modi also wished javelin thrower Antil on winning the gold medal at Tokyo Paralympics.

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.

Also Read: Tokyo Paralympics: India's Yogesh Kathuniya clinches silver in F56 discus throw event

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