Planned to Serve the Nation, Destined to be a Sports Star: The Sumit Antil Story

Creating history is a substantial feat, but repeating it is a mark of true legacy, and this player is a testament to that. He created a world record, broke his own record, and most importantly, achieved something that nobody has ever done in a Paralympic Games for India – becoming the first Indian man to defend the title in the competition. Despite so many achievements in his career as a javelin thrower, Sumit Antil’s life has not always been so decorated. His dreams of becoming a wrestler and serving in the Indian Army were shattered when he met with an accident that forced him to become a javelin thrower.

Who is Sumit Antil?

Sumit was born in Sonepat, Haryana, into a lower-middle-class family. His father, a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, passed away when Sumit was just seven years old. To support his family, Sumit aspired to pursue a career in wrestling, driven by his passion for sports. He also dreamed of serving in the Indian Army, dedicating himself to training and preparation for both paths. Little did he know that all his efforts would soon take an unexpected turn.

The Accident that Changed His Life 

While returning home from tuition, a truck hit his bike and ran over his left leg. He was just 17 at the time, and the injury was brutal. There was no option but to amputate his leg below the knee. He was bed-bound for 53 days before being moved to the Artificial Limb Centre in Pune, where he was fitted with a prosthetic leg, which helped him get back on his feet. However, his dreams of becoming a wrestler came to a premature end. But Sumit was not a man who easily gave up. He continued light sports for some time after his accident and was finally introduced to the Paralympics in 2017 by a fellow para-athlete named Rajkumar, who was from the same village.

The Perfect Example of Never Giving Up

He decided to become a para javelin thrower and began rigorous training for it. The journey was far from easy; at times, his prosthetic liner would fill with blood due to excessive friction and heat. Despite the pain and challenges, Sumit never gave up. He woke up at 3 a.m. every day to master the sport. Eventually, at the suggestion of Virender Dhankar, the 2018 Asian Games silver medallist, he began training under Dronacharya awardee javelin coach Naval Singh.

Sumit Antil's Achievements 

After completing his training, Sumit’s journey of achievements began. He won a silver medal at the Paris Open Handisport in 2019 and secured second place at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Italy the same year. With a silver medal at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships, he qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the F64 category.

The Tokyo Paralympics marked the pinnacle of his career and a record-breaking moment for India. He clinched a gold medal with a world-record throw of 68.55m. Later that year, he surpassed his own record at the Indian Open National Para Athletics Championships with a throw of 68.62m. His dominance continued at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2023 and 2024, where he secured gold medals in both events.

The shining moment was yet to come, and that arrived at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Sumit Antil won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F64 class at Paris 2024 and became the first Indian male para-athlete to defend his title in the Paralympics. The 26-year-old beat his own record with a distance of 69.11m on his first attempt. But this was not enough for him; he went on to set a new Paralympic record of 70.59m in the same stint.

Awards Won by Sumit Antil

Along with these sporting achievements, Sumit has earned several major accolades. In 2021, he received the Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Award, the highest sporting honour in India, and the Padma Shri Award, the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India, in 2024. He was also named Sportsman of the Year at the Sportstar Aces Awards 2024, featured in the Forbes India 30 Under 30, and honoured as the Para Athlete of the Year at the Male Indian Sports Honours.

Today, Sumit is the world's number one para javelin thrower with his story of hope, determination, grit and the sheer attitude of never giving up.