New Delhi, March 12 Sumit Antil, the double Paralympic Games gold medallist in javelin throw, lived up to his reputation by winning the top spot at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in India on Thursday.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the men's javelin throw (F43/F44/F64), where Antil, who won gold medals at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, achieved a remarkable throw of 69.25 metres to secure the top position.
Pushpendra Singh secured the silver medal with a throw of 56.91m, while Poonam Ram took the bronze with an effort of 49.48m.
Antil said his winning throw exceeded his expectations by a couple of metres.
"This time we have several tournaments lined up. I will try to perform well in the upcoming competitions. This is an off-season training phase for me. I wasn't expecting such a throw; I expected around 67-68m, but the throw was good today at 69.25m. So I am happy, and my team is happy as well," said Antil, a 27-year-old three-time World Championship gold medallist from Haryana.
"We are focusing on improving our technique, and we believe we are on the right track. We need the right conditions for the throw to be perfect. That's why I am participating in tournaments so I can find those conditions."
Sumit Antil now aims to compete in the Asian Para Games later this year in Japan, with a target of exceeding 75 metres.
"My goal is to achieve 75m. I haven't achieved it yet in practice, but I am working on improving my technique and strength to reach that mark."
India also dominated the men's 400m T13 event, with Subodh Bhatt winning gold in 51.88 seconds, followed by Priyanshu Kaushik (53.19 seconds) and Avnil Kumar (56.91 seconds).
In the men's 400m T46/T47 competition, Bhavikkumar Din Bharwad secured gold with a time of 49.89 seconds, while fellow Indian Jasbeer finished close behind to take silver in 50.09 seconds. Ivan Cvetkovic of Serbia won the bronze with 50.93 seconds.
India continued its dominance in the wheelchair category of the men's 400m T53/T54 event, winning all three podium positions. Manojkumar Sabapathi won gold in 54.33 seconds, Anil Kumar secured silver in 57.57 seconds, and Manikandan Jothi took the bronze with a time of 1:01.94.
In the women's events, Tejalben Amraji Damor won gold in the 400m T11/T12 event with a time of 57.53 seconds, Lalitha Killaka secured silver in 1:07.92, and Shalini Chaudhary completed another Indian podium sweep with bronze in 1:16.79.
Lakshmi won gold in women's shot put F36/F37/F40 with a throw of 7.76 metres, while Akutai Sitaram Ulbhagat claimed silver with 5.49m, and Chimi Dema of Bhutan secured bronze with 5.27m.
India also swept the podium in men's long jump T42/T63, with Shaliesh Kumar winning gold with a jump of 5.47 metres, Ramsingbhai Govindbhai Padhiyar securing silver with 4.68m, and Solairaj Jagannathan taking bronze with 3.23m.
Another clean sweep came in men's shot put F46, where Rohit Kumar clinched gold with a throw of 14.35 metres, Devendra Singh Gurjar won silver with 13.97m, and Lokesh Akula secured bronze with 10.92m.
India continued its strong showing in throwing events with Sahil Salim Sayyad winning gold in the men's discus throw F51/F55 with 36.83 metres, followed by Sukhchain with silver (30.49m) and Sudhir with bronze (28.78m).
India also dominated the men's javelin throw F40/F41, with Sunil Kumar winning gold with 32.58 metres, Prince Kumar securing silver with 31.23m, and Kathir Dhanasekaran finishing with bronze with 18.73m.
