Sumit Antil: A Paralympic Champion's Inspirational Journey

Sumit Antil, guided by Neeraj Chopra's advice, won his second consecutive Paralympic gold in the F64 javelin category with a record throw of 70.59m. His journey includes overcoming a motorbike accident that resulted in the loss of his leg, and his dream now is to achieve a hat-trick of golds by the 2028 LA Paralympics.

Sumit Antil clinched his second consecutive gold in the Paralympic Games, heeding javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra's advice to maintain focus and avoid trying anything new during competitions. Antil achieved the feat in the F64 category with a Games record throw of 70.59 meters.

The 26-year-old from Haryana, who lost his left leg below the knee in a 2015 motorbike accident, bettered his previous Paralympic record of 68.55m set in Tokyo three years prior. His world record stands at 73.29m. Antil attributes his consistent performance improvement to his regular interactions with Chopra.

Eyeing a hat-trick of golds in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles, Antil remains focused on top competitions like next year's World Para Athletics Championships in India. Beyond athletic goals, he manages pressure through meditation and watching sports-related movies.

(With inputs from agencies.)