Sumit Antil smashes javelin world record with 74.82m at Indian Open Para Athletics 2026
Synopsis
Sumit Antil didn't just win gold at the Indian Open Para Athletics 2026 — he shattered his own world record with a 74.82m throw, the longest in F64 history. Two Paralympic golds and now a fresh world record: India's para javelin titan appears to be getting better, not plateauing.
Key Takeaways
Sumit Antil set a new Men's Javelin F64 World Record of 74.82m on 27 May 2026 in Bengaluru .
He surpassed his own previous world mark of 73.29m , set at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou .
Sandip Sargar (Maharashtra) took silver with 62.88m ; Sandeep (Rajasthan) won bronze with 61.83m .
Antil is a two-time Paralympic champion, having won gold at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 .
Deepthi Jeevanji and Praveen Kumar were among other medal winners on Day 2.
The championship runs from 26 to 28 May 2026 in Bengaluru .
Sumit Antil, the two-time Paralympic gold medallist, rewrote history on 27 May 2026 at the 8th Indian Open International Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru, hurling the javelin to a stunning 74.82m to set a new World Record in the Men's Javelin F64 category. The throw obliterates his own previous world mark of 73.29m, which he had established at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
The Record-Breaking Throw
Competing on Day 2 of the three-day championship, Antil produced a best effort of 74.82m to claim gold with commanding authority, finishing well clear of the field. Maharashtra's Sandip Sargar took silver with 62.88m, and Rajasthan's Sandeep secured bronze at 61.83m. The gap between Antil and the second-place finisher — nearly 12 metres — underscores the extraordinary margin of his dominance in the discipline.
Antil's Unmatched Paralympic Legacy
Representing Haryana, Antil has now broken his own world record multiple times since bursting onto the global stage. He claimed gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and defended his title at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, cementing his status as the most decorated and consistent para javelin thrower in the world. This latest effort signals that his competitive peak may not yet have been reached.
Other Standout Performances on Day 2
The day delivered a string of notable results beyond Antil's headline act. Paralympic medallist Praveen Kumar cleared 2.00m to win gold in the Men's High Jump T64, with Varun Singh Bhati taking silver at 1.84m. Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Deepthi Jeevanji clocked 57.84 seconds to top the Women's 400m T20, while Dilip Gavit of Maharashtra sprinted to gold in the Men's 400m T47 in 47.64 seconds.
In the Men's Javelin Throw F46, Haryana's Rinku won with 61.70m, ahead of Uttar Pradesh's Ajeet Singh (60.72m) and Ravi Kumar (59.33m). Celebrated para athletes Mariyappan Thangavelu and Shailesh Kumar drew large attention in the Men's High Jump T63/T42, competing alongside international participants from Thailand and the Philippines.
India's Para-Athletics Depth on Show
Haryana's Haney won the Men's Javelin Throw F37/F38 with 60.70m, and Pranav Soorma claimed gold in Men's Club Throw F51 with 34.04m. Among women, Gujarat's Nimisha Chakkungal leapt to gold in Women's Long Jump T47 with 5.43m, and Bhavanaben Ajab Chaudhary won the Women's Javelin Throw F46 title with 37.01m.
Championship Context
The 8th Indian Open International Para Athletics Championships 2026, running from 26 to 28 May in Bengaluru, has assembled India's top para athletes alongside international competitors, functioning as a key preparatory platform ahead of major global meets. With Antil's world record and a cluster of strong performances, India's para-athletics programme is sending a confident signal to the world.
Point of View
Not a high-pressure global final, suggesting Antil is nowhere near his ceiling. India's para-athletics programme has long relied on a handful of marquee names, and Antil's continued improvement raises the question of whether the support infrastructure — coaching, sports science, recovery — is scaling with him or simply benefiting from his raw talent. The gap of nearly 12 metres between him and the silver medallist also points to a structural depth problem in the F64 category domestically, even as Antil himself soars.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What world record did Sumit Antil set at the Indian Open Para Athletics 2026?
Sumit Antil threw the javelin 74.82m in the Men's F64 category on 27 May 2026 in Bengaluru, setting a new world record. He surpassed his own previous mark of 73.29m, which he had set at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.
How many Paralympic gold medals has Sumit Antil won?
Sumit Antil has won two Paralympic gold medals — at the Tokyo 2020 Games and at the Paris 2024 Games, both in the Men's Javelin F64 category. He is the reigning and back-to-back Paralympic champion in the event.
Who finished second and third in the Men's Javelin F64 at the 2026 Indian Open?
Maharashtra's Sandip Sargar claimed silver with a throw of 62.88m, while Rajasthan's Sandeep won bronze with 61.83m. Antil's winning throw was nearly 12 metres ahead of the silver medallist.
What other notable results came from Day 2 of the Indian Open Para Athletics 2026?
Praveen Kumar won gold in Men's High Jump T64 with a clearance of 2.00m, and Deepthi Jeevanji topped the Women's 400m T20 in 57.84 seconds. Mariyappan Thangavelu and Shailesh Kumar also competed in the Men's High Jump T63/T42 alongside international athletes.
Where and when is the 8th Indian Open International Para Athletics Championships 2026 being held?
The championship is being held in Bengaluru from 26 to 28 May 2026. It brings together leading para athletes from across India and international competitors, serving as a key preparatory event ahead of upcoming global competitions.
