Sumit Antil and Pushpendra Singh made an auspicious start for India on Day 3 of the Asian Para Games as the duo ensured a double podium finish with Gold and Bronze medals respectively in men's F64 javelin throw event. Antil not only clinched the Gold but also broke the world record, set by himself only as he threw 73.29m far. Antil started with 66.22m throw before bettering it in the second attempt with 70.48 metres before finally clinching the Gold with a record-breaking throw in the third attempt.
Antil's previous world record throw came at the Para World Championships earlier this year where he covered a distance of 70.83 metres. Antil also set the Games record having achieved it previously in 2018 with a 56.29m throw. Antil achieved his second successive Paralympic qualification as he is set to compete in Paris next year having earned automatic qualification with a top-of-the-podium finish in Hangzhou.
Pushpendra Singh, another Indian athlete in the event, clinched the bronze medal with a 62.06m throw while Sandeep finished outside the medal places with a throw of 61.84 metres. The F64 event is for track and field athletes who are affected moderately in one or both legs or don't have limbs at all.
These two medals took India's tally to 36 with 10 Gold, 12 Silver and 14 Bronze medals. India began the Asian Para Games 2023 with a 17-medal haul on Day 1 which was replicated on the second day with an identical number of medals. With a record 303-athlete contingent, India is aiming at its best-ever haul in the Para Games in Asia after a remarkable feat of 107 medals in the Asian Games a few weeks ago.
