Asian Para GamesAt the 2026 Asian Para Games, India delivered its best-ever performance, securing a total of 114 medals—a feat to which India’s most successful para-javelin thrower, Sumit Antil, made a significant contribution. Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, has once again emerged as an Asian Para Games champion.
In the men’s javelin throw (F42–F44/F61–F64 category), Sumit won the gold medal with a throw of 72.46 meters. Meanwhile, fellow Indians Mahendra Gurjar and Sandeep Sargar also reached the podium, completing a clean sweep of the medals for India.
Gold for Sumit for the second consecutive time
On October 23, the sixth day of the Asian Para Games currently being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, the men’s javelin throw events took place. Much of the attention was focused on the F42–F44/F61–F64 category, as India had three contenders competing in it.
Among them, the most prominent name was Sumit Antil, who maintains absolute dominance in this category globally. Having won gold at the last two Paralympic Games as well as the previous Asian Para Games, Sumit was expected to deliver a similar performance and he certainly did not disappoint.
Sumit Antil, hailing from Sonipat in Haryana, recorded a throw of 72.46 meters on his second attempt his personal best which secured him the gold medal. His first throw of 70.16 meters would also have been sufficient to win the gold.
Sumit, who once dreamt of becoming a wrestler, faced a devastating setback in 2015 when, at the age of 17, he had to have his leg amputated following a road accident. He subsequently turned to para-javelin, and since 2021, he has consistently won every major international gold medal in the sport—often multiple times over.
Mahendra and Sandeep also win medals
It wasn't just Sumit Antil; fellow Indians Mahendra Gurjar and Sandeep Sargar also won medals, ensuring a complete sweep for India in this event. Mahendra Gurjar, from Sakhun in Rajasthan who has a shorter leg due to polio clinched the silver medal.
Competing in the F42 category, he recorded a throw of 59.03 meters to secure second place, earning 1066 points. Meanwhile, Sandeep Sargar, competing in the F44 category, achieved a distance of 64.48 meters; with 1006 points, he finished in third place to claim the bronze medal. Sandeep, who lost his leg after being struck by a truck at the age of just four, helped complete a clean sweep for India.
