Neeraj Chopra, Sumit Antil and the romance of a javelin flying in the air!

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One of the easiest events to take up in track and field is the javelin. Since the time the ancient man hunted for prey, the use of a spear was common practice. Call it an evolution or revolution, for javelin to become a serious sport happened long ago, when the first Ancient Olympic Games happened in Greece in 708 BC.

For this generation of athletics buffs who idolise Neeraj Chopra for his two Olympic medals, gold in Tokyo and silver in Paris 2024, javelin has become synonymous with speed, grace and power.

What some tend to forget is that even before Neeraj had captured the attention of millions in Tokyo three years ago, one man who today heads the Paralympic body in India, Devendra Jhajharia was also a javelin legend. For Jhahjhaia to hold thrall as a Para athletes and win multiple medals in the Paralympics was proof of what effort he had put in, spread over a long period.

Today, it is none other than legend Jhajharia who is most happy Sumit Antil has gone a few steps ahead, winning two back-to-back Paralympic gold medals. It is well known, with the Indian athletes raising the bar in Paris this fortnight, that javelin is a blue riband event. It is simple to understand, which is why Sumit, from Haryana, has been able to connect with the masses.

Had it not been for a bike accident at the age of 16, Sumit Antil may have wanted to become a wrestler and win a medal for India at the Olympics. To overcome that trauma and turn into a Para athlete of repute is what romanticises the journey of Sumit. This is path-breaking, an Indian winning back-to-back gold medals with the javelin on the stage called Paralympics, where the action is no less gripping.

Top of the runway, charge down and then release, Sumit has perfected it. Perhaps, the beauty in watching this man fire the javelin in the air, it arcs up and then lands with a thud on grass is the geometry he creates. This defines art and science for those who follow javelin, since there is a fair amount of elements also coming into play.

For those who are still stuck up on able bodied versus Para athletes, there is no difference or distinction at all between the efforts which Neeraj and Sumit make. Everyone wants Neeraj to breach the 90-metre mark, something which he has said will happen in due course. As for Sumit Antil, winning two gold medals is a class act.

It takes effort and perseverance to reach this level of consistency and keep raising the bar. Watching the bearded man uncork the champagne stuff at the Stade de France on Monday was proof he is focused. It does need practice to a point of perfection and also not getting overawed by the rest of the field, which comprises sturdy athletes.

To be sure, both Neeraj and Sumit have a few things in common, javelin and consistency. If you track their performance chart in the last four years, both have kept pushing hard, to the point of getting better and better. From a distance, it looks easy to execute. However, if you have heard what Neeraj has said a few times, there is always pressure. There is pressure on Sumit Antil as well, and he also has to pay far more attention to focus on the F64 category. He cannot risk or go wrong at the final stage of flinging the javelin.

Well, if you still have not go it, can a guy doing the stunts in a movie for the main hero gets his act wrong? The consequences would be disastrous. Likewise, Sumit Antil and the javelin magic are a fusion that makes for compelling viewing. It's not too late, you can still watch the replays.