“I was misquoted regarding the Paris Olympics,” says Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Sumit Antil

Tokyo Paralympics have been a major success story for the Indian contingent as they have already bagged 10 medals with more events to come. Out of those 10 medals, two are gold medals while five of them are silver and three bronze.

Javelin thrower Sumit Antil became the second gold medallist at the Tokyo Paralympics for India after para shooter Avani Lekhara bagged the first. Antil was delighted with his performance in Tokyo as he broke the World Record thrice in his six attempts. He hurled the javelin 68.55 in his fifth attempt which earned him the elusive gold medal.

However, after the historic win, Antil gave several interviews. In one of them, he was quoted wrongly which the youngster was keen to clarify. His claims of waiting for the Olympics in 2024 went viral which Antil clarified by saying that he was wrongly misquoted.

“I have read this statement at many places, I have not said anything like this. This is a wrong statement that has been attributed to me, this comes off as overconfidence. I had said that I would try to touch the 80m mark. In my eyes, it is wrong that such a statement is being attributed to me,” Antil told the Paralympic Committee of India.

The javelin thrower was on song right from the first throw as broke the world record at the very first one. He then continued his merry form and bettered himself twice with the fifth one being his best. However, after the event, Antil expressed his desire to touch the 70m mark but was satisfied with the gold medal.

“I wanted to touch the 70m mark, but I am very happy with my performance. In one competition, I was able to break the world record thrice. And I was also able to win the gold medal, I cannot express how I am feeling right now, I am just numb, to be honest,” Antil told ANI.

India till now have done exceptionally well at the Tokyo Paralympics with para shuttlers like Pramod Bhagat, Suyas Yathiraj and others now managing the medal charge for the country.