Javelin magic: Neeraj, Sachin cheer as Sumit creates history at World Para Athletics C’ships
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India’s para javelin throwers stole the show at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi on Tuesday, grabbing two golds and a silver in thrilling finals at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Olympic hero Neeraj Chopra and rising star Sachin Yadav showed up to cheer, adding extra buzz to the evening.
Two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil dominated the men’s F64 javelin throw, smashing a new championship record with a massive 71.37-meter effort on his fifth attempt. He fired three throws over 65 meters in his first four tries, securing gold early but pushing hard anyway. Despite hand pain that spread to his neck—managed with painkillers and sprays—Sumit felt thrilled. “I hoped for a bit more, but I’m happy with the record,” he told reporters. The 26-year-old plans a short break before ramping up for next year’s Asian Para Games, starting training in February.
Sumit lit up when he spotted Neeraj in the crowd mid-competition. “It’s his generosity—my bhai coming to support us. India’s inspiration cheering for para athletes feels amazing,” he said. He also sent well-wishes to Neeraj after the star’s eighth-place finish at the recent World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, blaming a back injury. “Hope it’s not serious. He’s a champion, always will be.”
Neeraj, fresh off his own Olympic gold, praised the Indian para team’s grit and thanked Paralympic Committee of India chief Devendra Jhajharia for leading the charge. “The javelin revolution started with Devendra Ji’s Paralympic golds in 2004 and 2016, not my Tokyo win,” Neeraj said. He highlighted athletes like Sumit, Sandeep Chaudhary, Rinku Hooda, and Sundar Singh Gurjar, plus Navdeep’s recent Paralympic gold. “It’s rising fast, and it feels great.” Neeraj urged fans to pack the stadium: “These athletes overcome tough lives. Come cheer live—it boosts their morale and motivates you too.”
In the men’s F44 javelin throw—a standalone event this year, separate from F64—Sandip Singh Sargar claimed gold with a top throw of 62.82 meters, his first international medal after a seventh-place at the Paris Paralympics. The home crowd’s roar fired him up. “I trained hard for this. Now, eyes on an Asian Para Games medal,” Sandip said.
Sandeep Chaudhary snagged silver with 62.67 meters, thrilled to contribute to India’s tally on home soil. “My form’s been shaky, but this feels good,” he shared. He credits coach Seema Punia, a 42-year-old Asian Games medalist, for motivation. “If she can win bronze at Hangzhou last year, I can too—I’m young!” Sandeep aims to beat his personal best next and loved the stadium energy to ease pressure.
Brazil’s Edenilson Roberto grabbed bronze with a F42 world record of 62.36 meters, while Pushpendra Singh hit a season-best 61.94 meters but missed the podium. All top five athletes nailed season-best throws in this edge-of-your-seat final.
India’s medal haul now sits at seven: three golds, three silvers, and one bronze. With stars like Neeraj boosting morale, the para athletics scene in India keeps soaring.
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