Sumit Antil breaks own world record at Para Athletics C’ships
BENGALURU, May 27: Star Indian para-athlete Sumit Antil on Wednesday broke his own world record in the men’s javelin throw F64 event at the Indian Open International Para Athletics Championships here.The 27-year-old two-time Paralympics gold medallist from Sonipat in Haryana sent the spear to a distance of 74.82m, surpassing his previous world record of 73.29m, which he had set at the 2022 Asian Para Games.Antil has dominated his event in the international stage for some time now and he has even set the target of breaching the 80m mark in the near future, a distance which is not easy even for able-bodied athletes.He has won gold medals in the 2020 and 2024 Paralympic Games and clinched World Para Athletics Championships titles in 2023, 2024 and 2025. He has also won gold in the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.F64 category is for athletes with problems in the lower limb(s), those competing with prosthesis or affected by leg length difference.Antil lost his left leg below the knee after he was involved in a motorbike accident in 2015. A student of Delhi’s Ramjas College, Antil was an able-bodied wrestler before the accident.A para athlete in his village initiated him to the sport in 2018. (PTI)
India beat Australia in shootout to win second match of series
PERTH, May 27: The Indian women’s hockey team came from behind to force a 1-1 draw before registering a 4-2 win in the shootout against Australia to level the four-match friendly series 1-1 here on Wednesday.After an entertaining start to the game, Australia took the lead, courtesy a goal from Olivia Downes (10th minute) at the Perth Hockey Stadium.But the Indian team upped the ante by creating opportunities from a series of penalty corners and putting the Australians under pressure.The home team’s resistance was finally broken in the final quarter as Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (46th) found the back of the net, bringing India back on level terms.The visitors prevailed 4-2 in the shootout with goals from Navneet Kaur, Ishika Chaudhary, Annu and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal.The third match of the series will be played on Friday. (PTI)
India to host 2027 Asian Relays and 2028 Asian Indoor C’ships
NEW DELHI, May 27: The Indian cities of Chandigarh and Bhubaneswar were on Wednesday awarded hosting rights of next year’s Asian Relays and the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships respectively by the continent’s athletics governing body during its executive council meeting in Hong Kong.The council meeting was held ahead of the Asian U20 Championships from May 28 to 31.The two major continental competitions are being held on Indian soil for the first time. The Asian Relays will be held in May next year while the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships will be conducted in January.The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) had last year submitted the bids to host both the events.The Asian Relays in Chandigarh will be the third edition of the event. The inaugural edition was held in Bangkok in 2024 while the second chapter will be held in Shaoxing, China from June 20th. Asian Relays Championships will be held in six events — men’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay, women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay, mixed 4x100m and 4x400m.More than 200 athletes from across the Asian continent are expected to be seen in action in Chandigarh.The state-of-the-art indoor facility at the Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar will be the venue for the 2028 Asian Indoor Championships. The same venue will also host the 2028 World Indoor Championships from March 3 to 5. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said his state has strengthened its position as a host for global sporting events.“It’s another cap in Odisha’s crown in the realm of global sports,” the CM said in a statement. The inaugural national indoor championships was held in March at the same facility. India getting the hosting rights of two Asian events is in line with the country’s efforts to stage continental and global events in the coming years.India has also formally expressed its interest to host the 2028 World U20 Championships as well as either of the 2029 or 2031 editions of the senior World Athletics Championships. (PTI)
