Don’t have same level of motivation: Antil | Bengaluru News

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.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. 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 shinesKeshavamurthy 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).