Tokyo Paralympics: Meet Sumit Antil – a wrestler turned javelin thrower aiming for a gold medal | Tokyo Paralympics News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian para javelin thrower Sumit Antil is an inspiration for many youngsters in his village Khewda, in Sonipat. That is not just because of his success and achievements in sports, but also for his never-say-die attitude.
In 2015, while he was learning the nuances of becoming a wrestler in an akhara in Sonipat, Sumit met with a road accident. He finished his training, took a bath, and then started his bike. What happened next, changed his life.
” Maa, thodi der mein aata hun (Mom, I am coming back in some time) – That’s what Sumit told his mother before leaving the house.
The then 17-year-old didn’t know that he would not be able to hit the wrestling mat ever again. An accident crushed his dreams of becoming a wrestler.
“Yogeshwar Dutt was my inspiration in wrestling. I always watched his videos and bouts and learned from those. Such a talented and brave wrestler he is. But when I met with a road accident in 2015, my wrestling journey ended on a terrible note. I was riding my bike and a tractor hit my bike from behind. I slipped on the road and then the tractor driver failed to apply the brakes on time and ran over my left leg,” Sumit told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview while recalling that horrific 2015 incident.

“My left leg was badly crushed. I called my parents and they took me to the hospital. The doctor said they would have to amputate my leg. My family members cried and I was so down and dejected. I was cursing myself. We didn’t have any choice and asked the doctor to go ahead. My wrestling dreams ended right there,” he said.
MEETING ‘GURU’ NAVAL
Sumit was down, but not out. He wanted to continue a career in sports. He didn’t want to sit on the sidelines and look at other wrestlers playing in tournaments and winning medals.
Sumit met Virender Dhankar, the 2018 Asian Games silver medallist in shot put, and asked him to guide him. Dhankar took him to AFI’s para-athletes’ javelin coach Naval Singh at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and narrated Sumit’s story. Naval looked at Sumit and advised him to take up javelin.

Sumit Antil and his coach Naval Singh
“When I saw Sumit for the first time I had to motivate him a lot. He wanted to be a wrestler, but that career path wasn’t possible then. Sumit has good height and physique. He was 6’2 and had a good build. I knew if I worked on him, he could do wonders. I managed to convince him to switch to javelin and he started training under me,” Naval told TimesofIndia.com.
“He is a hard-working soul. Many times I have asked him to come to practice at 3 am in the morning and he was there with a javelin in hand. I have never seen such a dedicated sportsperson. He is so determined,” Naval, a Dronacharya awardee, further said.
TOKYO DREAMS
Sumit booked his ticket to the Tokyo Paralympics, in the F64 category, after clinching a silver medal at the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships. And the 23-year-old is aiming for gold in his maiden Paralympic appearance.

“Naval sir has played a big role in my career. I learned a lot from him. He is such a knowledgeable person. He is the one who taught me javelin throw. He can observe an athlete and give a lot of tips, especially technical ones. He has made me what I am and now I want to win a gold medal and dedicate it to him,” Sumit said.
Naval meanwhile is confident that Sumit will win a gold medal and break the World Record as well.
“I am confident that Sumit will win a gold medal with a World Record in Tokyo. His hard work and dedication will pay off soon,” Naval signed off.