Javelin throwers- The F64 category is intended for athletes with a leg amputee, who compete with prostheses in a standing position.
Newbie Sumit Antil has repeatedly broken his own world record for gold in the F64 class, while veteran Devendra Jhajharia’s F46 silver cemented his status as India’s greatest para-athlete as the Javelin throwers led the country’s track and field medal race at the Paralympics here on Monday.
Another javelin thrower, Sundar Singh Gurjar, won bronze in the Jhajharia event, while discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya’s silver F56 helped India make its presence felt on the podium and throughout the world. throughout the day.
The star of the day was Sumit, 23, as he climbed to the top of the podium with an astonishing 68.55m throw on his fifth attempt, which was the day’s best by far and a new record. of the world.
“In training, I threw 71m, 72m, several times. I don’t know what happened in my competition. One thing is certain: in the future, I will throw much better, ”said Sumit after this superb performance.
A native of Sonepat in Haryana, Sumit, who lost his left leg below the knee after a motorcycle accident in 2015, broke the previous world record of 62.88m, also set by him, five times in the daytime. His streak read 66.95, 68.08, 65.27, 66.71, 68.55 and foul.
Australian Michal Burian (66.29m) and Sri Lankan Dulan Kodithuwakku (65.61m) won silver and bronze respectively.
The F64 category is intended for athletes with a leg amputee, who compete with prostheses in a standing position.
In March of that year, Sumit faced Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in the Indian GP Series 3 where he finished seventh with an effort of 66.43m. He won a silver medal at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai (Javelin throwers).
Previously, Devendra won silver in the F46 class ahead of compatriot Sundar Singh Gurjar. The 40-year-old, who won gold at the 2004 and 2016 Games, clocked a new personal best 64.35m for silver.
Devendra had broken his own world record (63.97m) but Sri Lankan Dinesh Priyan Herath Mudiyanselage set a new mark of 67.79m for the top honors.
“In sports and competition, that sort of thing happens. There are always ups and downs. I did my best and improved my personal best. But it just happened to be his day (in Sri Lanka), ”Devendra said.
Sundar, 25, who lost his left hand in 2015 after a metal sheet fell on him at his friend’s house, was third with a best effort of 64.01m.
Sundar had won gold at the 2017 and 2019 Para-Athletics World Championships and a silver medal at the 2018 Para-Asian Games in Jakarta.
He made it to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, but was disqualified for showing up late to the call room before the event. Monday’s bronze was nothing less than redemption for him.
The F46 classification is intended for athletes with an arm impairment, decreased muscle power or reduced passive arm range of motion, athletes competing in a standing position.
Yogesh, 24, sent the disc to a better distance of 44.38m on his sixth and final attempt to clinch silver in the F56 event.
Defending world champion and world record holder Claudiney Batista dos Santos of Brazil defended his title with 45.59m while Cuban Leonardo Diaz Aldana (43.36m) won bronze.
Yogesh’s bronze at the 2019 Para-Athletics World Championships in Dubai earned him a spot in Tokyo.
In the F56 classification, athletes have all the muscle power of the arms and trunk. Pelvic stability is provided by some at full capacity to press the knees together.
“Due to the lockdown, all stadiums have been closed. I couldn’t have a coach and I still train without a coach. It was a great moment that I could win the silver medal without a coach, ”Yogesh said.
Another javelin thrower Sandeep Chaudhary (F64) finished fourth in the final (Javelin throwers).
However, in heartache for the contingent, discus thrower Vinod Kumar (F52) lost his bronze medal won on Sunday after being declared “ineligible” during the reassessment of his handicap ranking.
