New Delhi: Sumit Antil, India’s two-time World Champion and Paralympic gold medallist, has once again made the nation proud by winning his second consecutive gold at the Paris Para Games. The javelin thrower dedicated this remarkable achievement to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fulfilling a promise he made after his first victory at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Sumit became the first para-athlete in history to win back-to-back gold medals at consecutive Paralympic Games. Competing in the Men's Javelin Throw F64 event, he set a new Paralympic record with a throw of 70.59 meters at the iconic Stade de France. Remarkably, he broke the previous Paralympic record—one that he himself set at Tokyo 2020—not once, but three times during the competition.
Following his latest triumph, Sumit joined his fellow Indian Paralympians at Prime Minister Modi’s residence, where they were honored for their outstanding performance at the Paris Games. The Indian team secured an impressive 29 medals, making it the country’s best-ever Paralympic performance.
During the meeting, Sumit reflected on his previous encounter with PM Modi after the Tokyo Paralympics. "I remember when I won my first gold in Tokyo, you asked me to bring home two more golds. I was nervous going into these Paralympics, but this second gold is for you," Sumit shared with the Prime Minister. He further thanked the Prime Minister for his continued support and encouragement.
India’s Paralympic contingent made history in Paris by finishing 18th in the overall medal tally. The team’s haul included seven gold, nine silver, and 13 bronze medals, surpassing their previous record of 19 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
A total of 84 para-athletes represented India across 12 different sports in Paris, including three new disciplines—para cycling, para rowing, and blind judo. The Paris 2024 Paralympics, held from August 28 to September 8, saw India field its largest-ever delegation, and the nation’s athletes rose to the occasion with record-breaking performances.
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