World Para Athletics GP | Antil reiterates his dominance, targets 75m

In a three-man, all-Indian field, Sumit Antil proved why he is perhaps the best para athlete in the country. The double Olympic and triple World champion breezed to gold on the second day of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix here on Thursday even as Indians continued to dominate the proceedings.

Antil, managed a best throw of 69.25m in the F43/F44/F64 Javelin Throw, far below his personal bests but still almost 13 metres better than second-placed Pushpendra Singh (56.91m), then expressed satisfaction at the mark in what is technically still his off-season.

“I am still in my loading phase at the moment and we have several tournament lined up this year, so I was not expecting anything exceptional. I had planned for 66-68m so I am happy with going past 69m. Hopefully it will get better as I compete more. While the main target, of course, is the Asian Games, the aim will be to get a good mark and go big at least once before that, Antil said after his event.

As one of the few big names in what is a largely second-string Indian field, Antil is also among the rare athletes who prefers to train at home rather than go overseas.

“I have trained abroad also but I am more comfortable in India only. The facilities at SAI centre, Sonepat are as good as anywhere else and I can always travel for short, specific stints if needed. The focus is now on strength training and injury prevention without changing technique. The target remains 75m but everything depends on the right conditions,” he added.

Important results (winners only):

Men: 400m (T12): Mohit Pal (54.39s); 400m (T20): Sergei Makarov (Rus, 49.20s); 400m (T46-47): Bhavikkumar Bharwad (49.89s); 400m (T53-54): Manojkumar Sabapathi (54.33s); shot put (F46): Rohit Kumar (14.35m); long jump (T42-63): Shailesh Kumar (5.47m); long jump (T37-38): Vladislav Kostin (Rus, 5.24m); Javelin (F40-41): Sunil Kumar (32.58m); javelin (F43-44, F64): Sumit Antil (69.25m).

Women: 400m (T20): Natalia Sainchina (Rus, 1:00.52); shot put (F11-12, F20): Marta Prokofyeva (Rus, 12.46m); shot put (F36-37, F40): Lakshmi (7.76m).