Tokyo Olympics gold medallist and Paris Olympics silver medallist Neeraj Chopra was in attendance at JLN Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday (September 30) when India’s para javelin star Sumit Antil won his third successive gold medal of the World Para Athletics Championships.
Participating in the F64 class, Sumit touched the distance of 71.37 metres in his fifth attempt. After Antil broke his own championships record of 70.83 m set in the 2023 edition to win the yellow metal, Chopra couldn’t stop himself from clapping for Antil.
The clip of Neeraj’s reaction is now going viral on the internet.
Here’s a look:
🚨 THE C’SHIP RECORD BREAKING THROW 🤯
– Incredible 71.37m Throw by India’s Sumit Antil in Javelin Throw F64 at World Para C’ship! 💪
Champion Neeraj
Chopra appreciated it! 🫶
IT’S REALLY MASSIVE THROW FOLKS!!!! 🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/C5EoKThpBv pic.twitter.com/NJ9vRduhkf
— The Khel India (@TheKhelIndia) September 30, 2025
Antil had also won gold in the 2023 and 2024 editions. The 27-year-old also has two Paralympics gold medals won in 2021 in Tokyo and 2024 in Paris. He is also the reigning Asian Para Games champion.
‘Neeraj would love to compete on Mondo track in Delhi’
Neeraj expressed happiness with Sumit Antil winning gold on the newly-laid Mondo track in Delhi and said he too would love to compete on this top-notch surface.
Two-time Olympic medallist javelin thrower Neeraj had some time ago requested the Union Sports Ministry to install the Mondo track as it would help Indian athletes train better for international competitions.
“I am extremely happy that the Mondo track has been laid here (at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium) because internationally we have to compete on this surface,” said Chopra, who especially came to the venue to watch the para javelin event.
“I would love to compete on this Mondo track. I last competed here (JLN Stadium) in 2016 and definitely would like to come here and compete again,” the former world champion, who could not defend his title in Tokyo recently, said.
Neeraj had said after the World meet that he had been suffering from back spasms.
The champion thrower said he was happy that Sumit broke the meet record, but said he could have gone for the world record as well.
“He set the championship record . I though he could have done even better and created a world record. It’s a very big thing that this mega para athletics event is taking place in our country. I congratulate Devendra Jhajharia (Paralympic Committee of India president) for this achievement,” said Neeraj.
“India has become a powerhouse in javelin not because of me but because of Devendra Jhajharia. Jhajharia started it (by winning Paralympics gold). Then I came into the Olympics, then Indian para athletes came, Sumit (Antil), Rinku,” added Neeraj.
(With inputs from PTI)
