Paralympics gold medallist Sumit Antil wants to break 80m barrier in India

New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 9, 2024 11:27 IST

India’s star javelin thrower, Sumit Antil, once again showcased his dominance at the Paris Paralympics by winning the gold medal in the men’s F64 event. On September 3, at the Stade de France, Sumit delivered an impressive throw of 70.59 meters, breaking the Paralympic record and securing his second gold medal in this event, following his victory in Tokyo 2021.

Despite his success in defending his Paralympic gold medal, Sumit expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. In an exclusive interview with India Today, he revealed that he had set higher expectations for himself in the Paris competition.

Sumit has frequently mentioned his goal of breaking the 80-meter barrier in the men’s F64 event. Currently, the world record stands at 73.29 meters, a mark he achieved during the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.

Speaking at an Adidas event on October 7, Sumit Antil reiterated his ambition to break the 80-meter barrier in India. “I will show the distance and the margin next year in 2025. Hopefully, the Para World Championship will take place in India. Competing on home turf at such a high level is a matter of pride, and I will aim to break the 80-meter barrier here,” Sumit said.

His words reflected a hint of dissatisfaction, as if he felt he hadn’t delivered his best performance on the grand stage in Paris. When probed further, he revealed that he experienced immense pressure to defend his Paralympic gold medal. In fact, he was so anxious that he found himself wandering around the Games Village at midnight, just hours before his event.

It was so unusual that fellow high jumper Nishad Kumar stumbled upon him at that hour and jokingly asked if he remembered what day it was and when the javelin final was scheduled to take place.

“I am a normal person; I feel pressure. I feel a responsibility to perform well for India on the world stage. Those who claim they don’t feel pressure must be gods; I certainly am not,” Sumit said.

“I had hoped for better from myself. The pressure led to mistakes. I arrived at the venue far too early. In the ten days leading up to the final, I didn’t seek out Indian restaurants; I just ate whatever was available in the Games Village. While my training was solid, my diet suffered, and I think my body was a bit depleted at that time,” he explained.

Nishad Kumar, who was part of this conversation, shared with India Today that he and other athletes spent time relaxing with Sumit that night, helping to calm his nerves.

And what was the result the following day? A throw of 70.59 meters—a new Paralympic record.

FOOD AND COST-CUTTING IN PARIS

Sumit Antil spoke candidly about the challenges he faced with food during his time in Paris. Coming from Haryana, he is accustomed to traditional Indian meals—such as roti, dal, and sabzi—which were not readily available at the Games Village. He noted a sense of cost-cutting, as food was not accessible around the clock for athletes.

“I faced significant issues while eating in Paris. We should have searched for Indian restaurants, but the pressure of being the defending champion completely slipped my mind. At one point, I even wondered if there was some form of cost-cutting happening. In the Games Village, we were supposed to have access to food 24 hours, but after 11 PM, it was unavailable,” Sumit explained.

However, he found solace in the enthusiastic crowd. “The crowd was sold out and incredibly educated. They knew when to cheer and when to stay quiet; it was an incredible experience in Paris,” he added.

After returning home as a double Paralympic gold medalist, Sumit indulged in sweets—lots of them. “I can’t even begin to tell you how many sweets I had once I got back. I had never felt this kind of pressure before—the whole defending champion thing. I had been very strict with my diet, even losing 10 kilograms before the Paralympics,” he said.

Since returning to India, Sumit has been traveling across the country, engaging in various events, appearing on multiple podcasts, and even meeting Amitabh Bachchan on *Kaun Banega Crorepati*. This visibility is crucial for promoting para-sports in India.

When asked to compare the sports culture in India with that in Paris, Sumit emphasised that the crowd makes a significant difference. “In foreign countries, stadiums are packed when athletes compete. But when national championships were held in Odisha in 2024, hardly anyone showed up to watch,” he remarked.

“I believe the government can only do so much. If the public doesn’t care, there’s little that can be done. Until the public awakens to the potential of grassroots talent, it will remain hidden,” he added.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM?

Sumit criticised sports universities in India for their failure to produce athletes over the decades. “I have seen many talented athletes drop out due to a lack of patience, awareness, and support. Schools and universities play a massive role in this regard. There are sports universities in India that haven’t produced athletes, while politicians and actors emerge from the same institutions. Why is that?” he questioned.

While he critiqued the sports university system, Sumit acknowledged the prevailing mindset among parents in India, who often prioritise secure, traditional careers over the uncertainties of sports. “Every elite athlete has a moment when their families went above and beyond to support them. My educated parents understood that sports could be a profession and supported me. But how many parents have that knowledge? Playing a sport is a huge risk—out of 100 participants, only three win medals. Eventually, parents worry that a 9-to-5 job offers better security, which hampers the development of players,” Sumit explained.

What set his family apart?

“From a young age, my parents made sure I woke up early to run in the fields. Who wants to wake up that early? But they instilled discipline in me and emphasized the importance of staying fit. There are many inspirational figures in the country, but we first need to create an environment that promotes fitness and a sporting culture. Inspiration alone cannot transform talent into medals,” Sumit noted, offering valuable insight into Haryana's culture.

Indian javelin has made significant strides since the rise of Neeraj Chopra, with increased awareness among schools, colleges, and parents that there are viable sports careers beyond cricket and football. Before concluding, Sumit shared a poignant observation: “Back in our day, the games period in schools meant one extra class for math or science. But I’ve seen that change, and perhaps that is our only hope for becoming a true sporting nation in the near future.”