Javelin thrower Sumit Antil, the Tokyo Paralympics gold medalist, is setting his sights on a historic achievement as he prepares to defend his title in the men’s F64 category at the upcoming Paris Paralympics. Antil, who has dominated the javelin field with three world records at the Tokyo Games, is determined to surpass his own benchmarks.

Antil's impressive career includes setting a world record with a throw of 70.83 meters at the 2023 Para World Championships, followed by an even more remarkable throw of 73.29 meters to secure gold at the Hangzhou Para Asian Games later that year. His ambition remains high as he approaches the Paris Games, where he intends to both defend his gold medal and push his limits further.

"My performance has been quite good in the past. Every time I've set a target, I've managed to achieve it, and this time I've set another target and will try my best to accomplish it," Antil stated.

He remains focused on defending his gold, though he hints at a possible throw of around 75 meters. Long-term, he dreams of crossing the 80-meter mark, inspired by the rising standards set by fellow javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra.

"I haven't thought much about the number yet. As I mentioned, this time I will focus more on defending my gold. If the day goes well, I'll aim to throw around 75 meters. In the long term, I would like to cross the 80-meter barrier, but for now, I'll try to achieve a 75-meter throw." He added

The F64 category, which includes athletes with lower limb impairments, such as those using prosthetics or with leg length discrepancies, is where Antil competes. Having lost a limb in a road accident in 2015, Sumit’s journey is one of remarkable resilience and determination. His recent gold medal at the Para World Championship, with a throw of 69.50 meters, exemplifies his commitment and prowess.

Antil's relentless pursuit of excellence not only aims to set new records but also to inspire the next generation of athletes in India and beyond.