Paralympic Champ Sumit Antil Calls for Better Coaching

When you've broken your own world record and won two Paralympic golds, you've earned the right to speak your truth.

Sumit Antil, India's javelin champion in the F64 category, recently opened up about his experiences with coaching in para-athletics. Fresh off breaking his world record in Bengaluru last week, the 25-year-old shared candid observations about what he sees as a generational divide in Indian coaching culture.

Antil estimates that roughly one-third of coaches in the system rely on outdated methods and resist learning new techniques. He noticed that coaches who entered the profession after 2010 tend to be more open to modern training approaches, while some older coaches struggle to adapt.

The athlete shared his own story as an example. After training with a coach for two years and paying 65 lakhs rupees in fees, Antil made the difficult decision to move on in 2019 when he felt the environment wasn't supporting his growth. Years later, disputes over credit and prize money continue to surface.

"No athlete is a fool to leave his coach," Antil explained, pointing to cricket legend Virender Sehwag's lifelong relationship with his mentor as an example of what good coaching looks like. When coaches provide excellent training and maintain positive relationships, athletes naturally want to stay.

Antil questioned why coaches sometimes claim credit for one successful athlete while ignoring the 19 others they trained who didn't reach international levels. He believes the focus should be on the athlete's entire journey through various stages and coaches, not one person's influence.

Why This Inspires

Sumit Antil isn't just fighting for himself. He mentioned that other elite athletes including Neeraj Chopra, Navdeep Singh, and Deepa Malik have faced similar challenges, but many stayed silent to avoid conflict.

By speaking up despite already being at the top of his sport, Antil is using his platform to improve conditions for younger athletes coming up behind him. The Sports Authority of India and his federation have supported his position, suggesting these concerns are being taken seriously at institutional levels.

His willingness to address uncomfortable truths, backed by evidence and specific examples, shows the maturity of someone who cares more about lasting change than temporary peace. That's the mark of a true champion, both on and off the field.