Latest news with #SumitAntil
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Don't have same level of motivation: Antil
Bengaluru: Sumit Antil , one of India's most celebrated para-athletes, is grappling with a challenge far removed from the javelin runway — a waning sense of motivation. The reigning Paralympic and world champion has dominated the F64 category with world-record shattering thro-ws, but the question of what next has left Antil craving for a newer challenge. To test his limitations and improve his game, Antil has set his sights on the ultimate frontier: competing against able-bodied athletes on the global stage. Antil, who pocketed a routine gold with a throw of 72.25 metres in the men's javelin throw (F12 & F64) event at the 7th Indian Open Para Athletics Championship here on Friday, rued the lack of motivation, but asserted that he continues to try and improve in every tournament. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Speaking to TOI at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Antil said, "I don't have the same level of motivation anymore. Now, my only aim is doing better than my previous competition. I get so many facilities from sponsors and the government. So, I feel the responsibility to do better." Admitting that he may be lacking motivation, the Haryana athlete says the hunger is still there. "I'm not getting the push that I wanted in the Para Games. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon | Luxury Awaits at Paras Floret Paras The Florett Book Now Undo I want to compete with the able-bodied athletes next year to get that push to move ahead. That will help me test my limits. "Even today, I was thinking of doing better, but the weather ruined it. At Worlds, I want to try and break the world record. I want to reach 75 metres, it's been two years since I've breached that mark," said the 27-year-old, who is gearing up for the global meet set to be held in New Delhi in Sept-Oct. Meanwhile, the two-time Paralympic gold medallist, lauded the country's support system for para-athletes but rued the lack of competition. "I've been a part of the sport for the past eight years and there's been a lot of improvement. The Paralympics revolution (for India) started in Rio 2016. There are a lot of top schemes and sponsors are paying attention, and we can see the result – 19 medals in Tokyo and 29 in Paris. Also, there's a lot of preparations for Los Angeles. "Junior athletes are getting enough support from the government. Parasports is moving in the right direction. What we lack is competition for athletes - especially at the grassroots level," opined Antil. Asked about his LA plans, a smiling Antil said, "LA is very far away, so not thinking about it. "For now, I'm preparing for Worlds and the Asian Games. I want to defend my title" signed off Antil, who plans to open an academy for budding athletes in the future. Keshavamurthy shines Keshavamurthy Koratikere enjoyed the best outing for a Karnataka athlete on a rain-marred opening day. While Koratikere clinched silver in the men's 1500m Run (T11), the state athlete registered a third-place finish in the men's 400m run (T11 & T12). On day 1 Karnataka clinched five medals. Results (K'taka only): Men: 400m (T11 & T12): 3. Keshavamurthy Koratikere (1:01.3s); 1500m T11: 2. Keshavamurthy (4:44.6). Women: Long jump (T20, T37 & T44): 2. Harshita Tater (3.21m); Discus throw F57: 2. Shilpa Kanchugarkoppalu (17.8m); Shot put (F32, F33, F34): 2. Medha Jayanth (5.18m).
Gulf Today
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Sushmita Sen shares Paralympian Sumit Antil's inspiring recovery story
On National Doctors' Day, actress Sushmita Sen shared the inspiring story of Paralympian Sumit Antil, who overcame a life-changing accident to win a gold medal for India. Sharing the story as part of the Second Birthdate campaign, the former Miss Universe reflected on the importance of doctors in giving people a second chance at life. On Tuesday, Sen took to her Instagram handle and shared a heartfelt post revealing the inspiring journey of Paralympian Sumit Antil. The actress said that just like him, she too feels grateful for the 'second birth date' gifted by doctors. Sushmita explained that while we all receive our first birth date from our parents, it is the doctors who step in during life-threatening moments and give us a chance to begin again. In her post, the 'Main Hoon Na' actress praised Sumit for not only recovering from a serious accident but also going on to make the country proud by winning gold. Sharing a video featuring Sumit narrating his journey, Sushmita Sen wrote, 'I'm sharing Sumit Antil's #SecondBirthDate story today. His journey, much like my own, reminds us that while we get one birth date from our parents, it's doctors who give us a precious second chance at life. To see him not just recover but go on to win gold for India, that's truly inspiring. Thank you @sunpharma_live for this wonderful National Doctors' Day initiative.' 'If you, like Sumit and me, have a doctor to thank for a second chance at life, visit to send your personalised Thank You doctor card. #SecondBirthDate #NationalDoctorsDay.' Actress Shilpa Shetty also took to social media to express her gratitude towards the medical community. In her heartfelt post, she encouraged everyone to take a moment to appreciate the individuals who dedicate their lives to healing and helping others. Calling them the true heroes, Shilpa paid tribute to doctors for their unwavering commitment, compassion, and tireless efforts in saving lives. Every year on July 1, India celebrates National Doctors' Day to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable role doctors and healthcare professionals play in improving lives and supporting communities. Meanwhile, Sushmita recently shared a stunning photograph, looking every bit like a graceful doll draped in a black saree, a colour she calls her armour. Sushmita took to Instagram, where she posed in a stylish black saree made of a sheer, flowy fabric with a subtle ruffled border that adds texture and elegance. She paired it with a strapless, heavily embellished blouse featuring silver detailing. She chose to go bold with her make-up with well-defined eyebrows, dark eye makeup, and a nude lipstick. On May 21, Sushmita celebrated 31 years since her historic Miss Universe win, which made her the first Indian woman to be crowned Miss Universe on May 21, 1994, in Manila, Philippines. Indo-Asian News Service
News18
01-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
'Want Doctors To See How They Changed My Life': Sumit Antil Hopes To Invite Medics To Para Athletics C'ships
Sumit Antil feels the upcoming World Para-Athletics Championships in India will prove hugely beneficial to the local athletes. As a youngster, Sumit Antil wanted to pursue a career in wrestling and join the Indian Army. Unfortunately, in 2015, when he was just 17 years old, his bike was hit by a speeding truck. As a result, his left leg had to be amputated, and his dreams of becoming a wrestler came crashing down. A decade later, Sumit is a two-time Paralympic gold medallist javelin thrower, a two-time World Championships gold medallist and also a gold medallist at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games. In an interview facilitated by Sun Pharma, Sumit speaks to News18 Sports about his Paralympics performance, the upcoming World Para-Athletics Championships, his wish for an NC Classic-like event for para-athletics and more. Excerpts At the Paris Paralympics, you bagged a gold with a Paralympic record. What makes you improve your performance on the biggest stage? I have been a Paralympic champion twice now. In Tokyo, I was a new boy whom no one knew. So, there was no pressure on me at all. Even if I didn't perform, no one would bother that much. But before Paris, there was a lot of pressure. Numerous articles were saying that I am a frontrunner for gold. But we had prepared well, and there has been so much experience now, we can handle the body better. We know what changes come in our body when we are about to participate. Year-round, we practice so much, we just push ourselves to give our 100 per cent on the field on that day. Whenever an athlete has an injury, I think the doctors play the biggest role. I cannot read an MRI report, right? My injury wasn't very serious, but it wasn't a small one either. But the doctors kept saying that I can recover and it isn't serious. The way they motivate you at that time and let you know about future injury prevention plays a major role in our careers. The World Para-Athletics Championships is set to be held this year in Delhi. How excited are you for it, and do you think it will increase the viewership of para-sport in India? I would like to congratulate everyone involved since the World Championships is being held in India. Our junior athletes will be able to learn a lot of things from the world-class athletes who will come here. I would like to invite the doctors who have treated me to come and watch me play and see how they changed my life. You already have two gold medals in the World Championships. Does that make you confident enough, or do you believe in beginning from scratch? It is different to compete as a reigning champion. People look at you differently. But my team and I focus on our targets and perform accordingly. We try to give our best. If you give your best, you will get the gold, and I hope everyone believes in us. Neeraj Chopra is organising NC Classic. Would you someday like a para-javelin event to be held in India as well? Yes, we would like to discuss the prospects of holding an event for para-javelin as well. Not just javelin, I would like to see a full-fledged athletics competition being held in India. This is a very good initiative by Neeraj bhai. India is hosting an A-class tournament for the first time. I am excited to see how the foreign athletes, for whom people travel to other nations to watch them play, will perform in India. Our young athletes will learn a lot from this experience. I would like to congratulate them on such an initiative. I would like to take such an initiative as well in the future. What made you join the #SecondBirthDate initiative from Sun Pharma? First of all, I would like to congratulate Sun Pharma that they have started such a good initiative for the doctors who play a major role in our lives. This is an opportunity to thank our doctors on their special day. When I found out about this campaign, I felt very connected because I, too, have been born again after an accident. This year, Sumit has joined Sun Pharma's #SecondBirthDate initiative. He considers 26/05/2015 his #SecondBirthDate and has joined the movement to express heartfelt gratitude to the real-life heroes, doctors, who give us a second chance at life. In 2023, cricketer Rishabh Pant also joined Sun Pharma's #SecondBirthDate initiative to pay tribute to the doctors who helped him recover from a serious car accident on December 30, 2022. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : athletics Neeraj Chopra Sumit Antil World Para Athletics Championships Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 01, 2025, 11:48 IST
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
From tragedy to triumph: How javelin champion, Sumit Antil found his 'second birthdate'
There are moments when life changes in a heartbeat - when the very act of survival feels like a miracle. For Paralympic Javelin champion, Padma Shri & Khel Ratna awardee, five-time gold medallist, and world-record holder, Sumit Antil , one such moment came in 2015, in the aftermath of a devastating road accident. At just 17, both his dreams of joining the army or representing India in wrestling were suddenly shattered. But, with the guidance and care of his doctors, Sumit didn't just recover physically — he found the strength to dream again. Born in Sonipat, Haryana, Sumit started off as a promising young wrestling talent with aspirations of representing India. But the accident that led to the amputation of his leg seemed to spell the end of everything he'd worked towards. Sumit recalls, 'My life was completely shattered. Both my dreams were lost in an instant'. What followed was a long and painful journey—months of recovery, rehabilitation, and uncertainty. But Sumit wasn't alone. A dedicated team of doctors stood by him, helping him heal not just his body, but his confidence, drive and hope. May 26, 2015—the day he first stood on his feet again, holds deep personal meaning for Sumit. 'It's the day I began chasing a new dream,' he says. 'That's why I call it my #SecondBirthDate'. Sumit Antil's #secondbirthdate story with Sun Pharma | | Hindi This year, Sumit joins Sun Pharma's award-winning #SecondBirthDate initiative, a heartfelt campaign that honours doctors who give people a second chance at life. His association with the initiative isn't just symbolic—it deeply personal. Sumit shares, 'National Doctors' Day is a moment to pause and honour our real-life heroes—doctors who work selflessly to heal and uplift others and I'm proud to be a part of Sun Pharma's #SecondBirthDate initiative. Sumit defended his title at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with a record throw of 70.59 m, becoming the first Indian male athlete to win back-to-back Paralympic golds in the same event. He is also set to represent India at the World Para Athletics Championship in Delhi in September 2025 – something that wouldn't have been possible without the doctors that stood by him a decade ago. Through powerful storytelling and real-life journeys like Sumit's, Sun Pharma's #SecondBirthDate has grown into a national movement over the last three year. Since its launch, the campaign has inspired thousands to pause and reflect on the critical role of doctors who helped them through life's toughest chapters. This year along with Sumit, Indian Idol winner, Pawandeep Rajan also shared his personal story of surviving a life-threatening accident, as did Indian cricker, Harmanpreet Kaur. To amplify these voices, Sun Pharma has rolled out a high-impact media campaign across leading national & regional newspapers and digital platforms— including a special collaboration with Humans of Bombay that features the stories of everyday survivors. While emphasising the importance of the campaign, Kirti Ganorkar, CEO – India Business, Sun Pharma, said, '#SecondBirthDate is our tribute to doctors who give people a second chance at life. What began three years ago as a humble initiative to celebrate the life of medical heroes has grown into a national movement, powered by countless personal stories of hope, courage, and gratitude. We are truly honoured to have Sumit Antil join the initiative this year. His resilience and determination to make a meaningful impact reflect the same spirit that drives our doctors — a shared commitment to making a difference in society'. As India marks National Doctors' Day, Sun Pharma invites everyone to celebrate the doctors who've made a difference to their lives. Visit to send a personalised 'Thank You Card' to the doctor who has gave you or someone you love, a second chance at life.
Hans India
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Sushmita Sen shares Paralympian Sumit Antil's inspiring recovery story on National Doctors' Day
Mumbai: On National Doctors' Day, actress Sushmita Sen shared the inspiring story of Paralympian Sumit Antil, who overcame a life-changing accident to win a gold medal for India. Sharing the story as part of the Second Birthdate campaign, the former Miss Universe reflected on the importance of doctors in giving people a second chance at life. On Tuesday, Sen took to her Instagram handle and shared a heartfelt post revealing the inspiring journey of Paralympian Sumit Antil. The actress said that just like him, she too feels grateful for the 'second birth date' gifted by doctors. Sushmita explained that while we all receive our first birth date from our parents, it is the doctors who step in during life-threatening moments and give us a chance to begin again. In her post, the 'Main Hoon Na' actress praised Sumit for not only recovering from a serious accident but also going on to make the country proud by winning gold. Sharing a video featuring Sumit narrating his journey, Sushmita Sen wrote, 'I'm sharing Sumit Antil's #SecondBirthDate story today. His journey, much like my own, reminds us that while we get one birth date from our parents, it's doctors who give us a precious second chance at life. To see him not just recover but go on to win gold for India, that's truly inspiring. Thank you @sunpharma_live for this wonderful National Doctors' Day initiative.' 'If you, like Sumit and me, have a doctor to thank for a second chance at life, visit to send your personalised Thank You doctor card. #SecondBirthDate #NationalDoctorsDay.' Actress Shilpa Shetty also took to social media to express her gratitude towards the medical community. In her heartfelt post, she encouraged everyone to take a moment to appreciate the individuals who dedicate their lives to healing and helping others. Calling them the true heroes, Shilpa paid tribute to doctors for their unwavering commitment, compassion, and tireless efforts in saving lives. Every year on July 1, India celebrates National Doctors' Day to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable role doctors and healthcare professionals play in improving lives and supporting communities.
