2 World Records in 40 seconds!

India’s top javelin throwers Sandeep Chaudhary and Sumit Antil stole the show on the second day of the Dubai 2019 World Para Athletics Championships taking the one-two podium for India in the men’s Javelin F64 finals.

The evening became even more special for the world record holder Indian duo as they bettered their own World records in their categories en route booking their qualifying spots for India at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics - that too within 40 seconds of each other.

While Chaudhary bettered his own world record of 65.80m in F44 category, while Antil sent the spear to a distance of 62.88m also to improve his world record of 61.32 metres in F64 category achieved in Paris this August.

Chaudhary, an Asian Para Games champion, said he came into the Dubai 2019 making a promise to himself to get his personal best and was overwhelmed to get it. “I’m very satisfied with my performance as it was also my personal best. I came here with a promise to improve my distance. It was also a new world record in my category so I am really happy about it," the 23-year-old told Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

“Weather was a little bit hot but the conditions were good for me.”

“Sumit is my junior and is training with me. He is also doing a good job and has worked hard. The new world record will motivate him to do even better. I’m really happy that we made our country proud,” he added.

"Winning a medal at Tokyo 2020 is the target"

Interestingly, both the stars have set the world records in their own categories at the Grosseto Para Athletics Grand Prix in June.

The F43-F44-F63-64 were clubbed into one category F64 for the Championships. For the Indians, it was also their second attempts in six of them which was enough to zoom to the top of the results table. Ukrainian Novak Roman, an F44 athlete, managed a distant third with 57.36 metres.

On their preparation plans in the road to Tokyo 2020, he added, “We will try to continue the rhythm. This season I have participated in four events and I finished with gold and while Sumit also has some good results. The medal here is certainly a big motivation to continuing the process and keep doing the things we are doing now.”

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