New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) Observing top-tier athletes perform live is a vital source of motivation for the youth, asserts Paralympic champion Sumit Antil, who emphasizes that these experiences encourage young sportspeople to establish more ambitious goals for themselves.

In an exclusive interview with IANS following his gold medal win at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi, Sumit noted that junior athletes often find inspiration by witnessing elite competitors in action.

The Indian athlete dominated the men’s javelin throw F43/F44/F64 category, securing gold with a throw of 69.25 meters. He underscored the significance of hosting international events in India, stating that such competitions can profoundly inspire budding athletes.

“This is crucial, particularly for junior athletes and future champions. Watching us live serves as an inspiration for them. When they witness our performances, it undoubtedly motivates them to strive harder for the pride of our country,” Sumit shared with IANS after his victory.

Interestingly, Sumit believes the motivation is reciprocal, with experienced athletes gaining insights from the commitment demonstrated by younger competitors.

“Certainly. Some junior athletes inspire us as well because when we observe their remarkable performances at such young ages, we ponder how much more they will achieve as they mature. This pushes us to elevate our own efforts,” he explained.

Furthermore, Sumit emphasized that witnessing elite competitions firsthand allows younger athletes to set definitive targets. “Junior athletes already exert significant effort, but when they observe our performances live, they gain a benchmark; they realize that if they can achieve such distances, they, too, can clinch a gold medal. Exposure to higher-level competitions broadens their aspirations and aids in enhancing their performance,” he elaborated.

In addition, the reigning world champion highlighted the influence of audience support, revealing that the cheers during his event primarily came from his teammates.

“It was all my team. No family members were present, but everyone cheering for me were teammates,” he disclosed.

Sumit encouraged individuals to support athletes whenever feasible, stressing that crowd enthusiasm can significantly impact performance during competitions.

“I can’t comment on those without support, but I strongly advise that if you can, please come out and cheer for the athletes. Whenever you can attend an event, bring along those you know to watch,” he urged.

“It feels fantastic when people shout your name, and it also enhances performance,” he added.

Reflecting on the gradual development of para sports in India since his entry into the field in 2017, Sumit remarked, “The visibility is indeed limited, but awareness among the public is steadily increasing. Since my journey began in 2017, there have been numerous changes—both in public perception and in the events and performances of athletes.”

“Progress doesn’t occur overnight. We athletes are striving to excel and promote para sports as much as possible. We hope that visibility will see a considerable increase in the future,” he stated.

Later in the mixed zone, the 27-year-old from Sonipat expressed his ambition to achieve a groundbreaking milestone—the 75m distance, a record never reached by a para javelin thrower.

Sumit currently holds the world record with a personal best of 73.29m, achieved at the 2022 Asian Para Games. However, since 2023, he has frequently come close to that mark, consistently recording throws between 71m and 73m without exceeding his record.

“It’s been two years since I last surpassed 73m. I’ve been consistently around 71m or 72m, which at times disheartens me. Thus, this year, I am targeting the 75m mark. To be honest, I’m uncertain how I’ll accomplish it since no athlete has done so before. However, I am dedicated to improving everything that can aid my success, whether it’s refining my technique or enhancing my strength and overall fitness,” he shared.

Sumit kicked off his competitive season earlier this year, participating in the Dubai Grand Prix last month, where he earned gold with a throw of 68.26m.

“I have several international competitions lined up for this season. I didn’t anticipate throwing 69 meters here. My primary focus this year is on the Asian Para Games, and I aim to peak just before that event. Next up is to deliver a strong throw at the Nottwil Grand Prix in May,” he concluded.