Sumit Antil and Pushpendra Singh showcased India’s podium dominance with a stellar performance, securing two medals in the Men’s Javelin F64 event at the Para Asian Games.
Sumit Antil, a Paralympic javelin thrower from India, achieved a historic feat on Day 3 of the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. He shattered his own records, setting new milestones not only in the Asian Para Games but also on a global scale. Sumit’s remarkable throw of 73.29 meters, achieved on his third attempt, earned him a well-deserved gold medal.
In the same event, Arachchige Samitha from Sri Lanka secured the silver medal with a throw of 62.42 meters, while India’s Pushpendra Singh closely followed, earning the bronze medal with a throw of 62.06 meters.
India currently holds the 5th position in the overall medal tally, with an impressive total of 36 medals, including 10 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze. The Indian contingent aspires to replicate their successful performance on Day 1 when they clinched a total of 17 medals.
This year’s Asian Para Games witnessed India’s largest-ever delegation, comprising 303 athletes, including 191 men and 112 women. In comparison, the 2018 edition featured 190 Indian athletes who achieved an outstanding tally of 72 medals, including 15 gold medals, marking a significant milestone in India’s performance at this quadrennial event.
Meanwhile, Indian paddler Bhavina Patel secured a bronze medal despite a defeat in the women’s singles – Class 4 semifinals during the ongoing 4th Asian Para Games. Bhavina faced a formidable opponent, Xiaodan Gu from China. Although Xiaodan secured an 11-7 victory in the first game, Bhavina displayed resilience, winning the second game with an 11-6 score. However, Xiaodan reclaimed control in the next two games, ultimately earning victory with scores of 11-6 and 11-7, securing her place in the final.
