Sumit Antil, India’s Paralympic javelin champion, recently defended his title in Paris, adding another gold medal to his impressive resume. Before the competition, Antil received valuable advice from fellow Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, who cautioned him against experimenting and encouraged him to focus on his technique.
Antil’s victory in Paris was a testament to his dominance in the sport. Despite nursing a back injury, he threw 70.59m, surpassing his rivals by a significant margin. However, he fell short of his goal of breaking his world record of 73.29m.
Antil acknowledged the pressure he felt as a defending champion, but he also relished the experience of competing in front of a large crowd. He emphasized the importance of staying focused and not underestimating his opponents, even though he is currently the top performer in his category.
In the years since Tokyo, Antil has maintained his dominance, winning two world championship titles and the Para Asian Games gold. He credits his consistency to his unwavering focus on improving his technique and overcoming physical challenges.
Antil looks up to Chopra as a role model for his exceptional consistency and ability to set new standards. He believes that Chopra’s achievements have raised the bar for Indian athletes and inspired them to strive for excellence.
Antil and Chopra have a close relationship and often communicate to share their experiences and support each other’s goals. Both athletes are committed to representing India with pride and bringing glory to the nation.
