September 4, 2024: Javelin thrower Sumit Antil, who won the gold medal at the Paralympics late last night, has been struggling with a back injury for nearly a decade. His gold medal victory is backed by a long story of sacrifices, including giving up sweets and enduring many sleepless nights. Before the Paralympics, Sumit, from Haryana, had to avoid his favorite sweets due to the risk of worsening his condition. Additionally, a back injury from last year’s Hangzhou Para Asian Games had been troubling him. He lost 12 kilos in two months due to rigorous efforts. His hard work paid off as he won his second gold medal and became the second Indian athlete to retain a Paralympic title. He also set a new Paralympic record with a throw of 70.59 meters. He told reporters, “I wasn’t fully fit. I had to take medication before throwing the javelin. I wasn’t in good shape even during training. First, I need to treat my back. I can’t even rest properly.”
