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, contributing to India's success at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Delhi.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the men's javelin throw (F43/F44/F64), and Antil, who won back-to-back gold medals at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, led the Indian charge with a throw of 69.25 metres.
Pushpendra Singh secured the silver medal with a throw of 56.91m, while Poonam Ram took the bronze with an effort of 49.48m.
India currently leads with 167 medals, including 54 gold, while Russia is second with 23 medals, including 11 gold.
Antil said his winning throw exceeded his expectations by a couple of metres.
"This time, we have multiple tournaments lined up. I will focus on performing well in the upcoming competitions. This is a good period for me to train. 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 Sonipat in Haryana.
"I am not changing my technique because we know we are moving in the right direction in our training. Right now, we just need the right conditions where the throw falls perfectly in place. That is why I am participating in tournaments so I can find those conditions somewhere."
Antil now aims to compete in the Asian Para Games later this year in Japan, with a target of breaching the 75-metre mark.
"I am targeting the Asian Games, and the goal is 75m. I haven't achieved it yet in practice, and no athlete has done it yet, but I am working on whatever improvements are possible in technique or strength to reach that mark," he said.
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 bronze with 50.93 seconds.
India continued its dominance in the wheelchair category of the men's 400m T53/T54 event, sweeping the podium with Manojkumar Sabapathi winning gold in 54.33 seconds, Anil Kumar taking silver in 57.57 seconds, and Manikandan Jothi securing bronze with a time of 1:01.94.
The women's events also saw strong performances from Indian athletes. In the 400m T11/T12 event, Tejalben Amraji Damor won gold 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.
