ROHTAK: Much like Tokyo Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, 23-year-old Sumit Antil of Sonipat too scripted history by winning gold medal in Tokyo Paralympics 2021 on Monday with a record throw of 68.55 metres.
A native of Sonipat's Khewda village, Sumit had initially tried wrestling, but his accident in 2015 changed everything for him. He lost his left leg below the knee in a motorbike accident.
Life has not been easy for Sumit who was born on June 7, 1998, and lost his father who had served in the Indian Air force when he was seven years old. The only brother among three sisters, Sumit had to shoulder family responsibilities very early in life, said his mother Nirmala Devi.
Talking to the media, she said: "Sumit’s accident changed his life. He was hospitalised for many months and got an artificial limb at a hospital in Pune in 2016."
Nirmal Devi said Sumit did not lose hope even after facing all these personal losses and focussed his attention towards para-sports. He joined the local SAI centre where he met Asian silver medallist Virender Dhankhar, who guided him.
Later, he sharpened his javelin throwing skills under Dronacharya awardee coach Nawal Singh, going on to participate the in Asian Championship in 2018 and getting 5th position. He won a silver medal in the World Championship in 2019.
Haryana Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday announced Rs 6 crore for Sumit Antil for winning a gold medal and setting a world record in javelin throw and Rs 4 crore for Yogesh Kathuniya for winning silver medal in discus throw F-56 in Tokyo Paralympics. The Haryana government will also give them government jobs.
