"I won’t stop here."
Indian Paralympian Sumit Antil recently won a gold medal in the javelin at Tokyo 2020.
As well as accepting his medal on Monday, August 30, 2021, Antil also set a new world record with a 68.55m throw.
Sumit Antil won a gold medal just a few weeks after Olympic javelin gold medallist Neeraj Chopra.
Discussing his gold medal win, Antil revealed that javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra inspired him.
Speaking to Times of India, Sumit Antil said that Chopra gave him a pep talk which spurred him on to win a medal of his own.
Antil said:
“Thank you to him for inspiring me. I still remember those encouraging words.
“Neeraj said you have the ability to do well and he was confident that I will win a medal in Tokyo.
“He said ‘bhai tu pakka medal leke ayega, dekh lio (brother, you will surely win a medal)’.
“He has given me tips whenever I needed them. He was always there to help me.
“He is such a nice human being.”
The 23-year-old also said that he cannot wait to speak to Neeraj Chopra when he returns to India after the Paralympics.
Now a world record holder and a gold medallist, Antil’s aims for the future are high.
According to the javelin thrower, he plans to rest before competing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Speaking of his achievements, he said:
“I wanted to win a gold medal with a world record. And I did it. I won’t stop here. I have to go a long way.
“For now, I will be going home and will rest for 15 to 20 days.
“My elbow is overused and the doctors and physiotherapists have advised me to take proper rest.
“I want to take rest, feel refreshed and then hit the field again, full of energy.
“2022 Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and World Championships are my next targets.”
According to Sumit Antil, becoming a Paralympian was not his initial dream.
Before a horrific road accident in 2015 that led to his left leg being amputated, Antil wanted to join the army.
However, he always knew he wanted to be a sportsman, and is grateful to his coach Naval Singh for his success.
Speaking of this, Antil said:
“If I had my left leg, I would have been a wrestler. I wanted to join the Indian Army through the sports quota.
“I rejected many government jobs because of this.
“But the accident shattered my dreams of joining the Indian Army.
“But I didn’t give up. I wanted to do something in sports.
“I am thankful to my coach Naval Singh who helped me in those difficult times and whatever I am today, it is because of him.”
Sumit Antil claimed India’s second gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
His gold was one of five medals achieved by India on Monday, August 30, 2021, which is the country’s best-ever medal haul at the Games.
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