Asian Para Games 2026: Sumit Antil aims to extend his illustrious legacy in Aichi-Nagoya

With just days remaining for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, India’s contingent is finally being announced, and one name emerges as a clear gold-medal favourite.

Sumit Antil, India’s double Paralympic champion, is one of the first names that come to mind for Indian fans in para athletics, thanks to his utter dominance in the event over the years.

Having set a world record of 74.82m earlier in 2026, the F64 javelin thrower will now head to Nagoya for his second Asian Games title, aiming to add another major title to his name.

How it all Started

Born on June 7, 1998, in Sonipat, Haryana, he grew up with a passion for sports, particularly wrestling. He idolised Yogeshwar Dutt, who won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and dreamed of becoming a wrestler himself.

However, an accident on January 5, 2015, changed the course of his life. While returning from tuition on a motorcycle, Antil was involved in an accident that resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee.

Although the injury ended his wrestling ambitions, he refused to give up on sports and gave a different direction to his career.

In 2017, para-athlete Rajkumar introduced him to para-sports, and then Sumit subsequently met coach Naval Singh, who guided him towards javelin throwing.

The decision marked the beginning of a remarkable career that would eventually establish him as one of India’s most successful para-athletes.

From Tokyo to Paris: Sumit's Growing Stature

He introduced himself on the biggest stage at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where he won gold in the men’s javelin throw F64 event on his debut.

He broke the world record three times during the final, beginning with a throw of 66.95m before eventually setting a new benchmark of 68.55m.

He continued his success at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, winning gold in the men’s F64 javelin throw with a distance of 73.29m.

The performance broke the world and Asian Para Games records, while fellow Indian thrower Pushpendra Singh secured silver to complete an Indian one-two finish.

Sumit further cemented his position among the world’s best by defending his Paralympic title at Paris 2024, becoming a double Paralympic champion.

Unbroken reign of dominance

His success continued at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, where he won gold in the men’s F64 javelin throw.

This was his third consecutive gold at the World Para Athletics Championships and remains unbeaten at the top of the major podium in the last six years.

Sumit carried that momentum into 2026, winning gold at the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix before securing another victory at the New Delhi Grand Prix in March with a throw of 69.25m.

However, his biggest performance of the year came at the eighth Indian Open International Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru in May.

Antil registered a remarkable throw of 74.82m to win gold and establish a new world record in the men’s F64 category. The performance further raised the benchmark.

Target Aichi-Nagoya

As the 2026 Asian Para Games approach, Antil will be among India’s strongest gold-medal contenders in para-athletics.

His achievements across the Paralympic Games, world championships and Asian Para Games, combined with his latest world-record throw, make him a formidable competitor in the men’s F64 javelin event.

When Sumit competes, Gold is never a main target for him; he always wants to improve his own world record and become the first para javelin thrower to cross the 75m mark.