Rohan Chowdhury in Paris
Coaches win matches, thoughthey don’t often receive the recognition they deserve. While Sumit Antil was widely celebrated for breaking the Paralympic Record in Paris and securing his second consecutive gold medal, he made sure to celebrate his coach, Arun Kumar, and his physiotherapist, Vipin, just as much.
It was a heartwarming moment in the media mixed zone at the Stade de France. When Antil arrived for his media interaction, he was flanked by his team – Arun and Vipin. Without hesitation, Antil took off his gold medal and placed it around Arun’s neck. His coach was visibly overjoyed.
“We are happy, but our target was the world record,” said Arun during the media interaction immediately after the event. The following morning, in an exclusive conversation with RevSportz, Antil echoed his coach’s words: “Though he’s happy with the gold, he isn’t satisfied with the distance.I’m sure he’s already thinking about the next tournament and how to improve further.”
The close bond shared by the trio was evident in their reactions and celebrations. The gold medal meant everything to them, and Arun and Vipin got to savour their hard-earned moments with it, while Antil looked the happiest watching them.
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An emotional moment as @sumit_javelin places his gold medal around his coach’s neck after his triumph.
Hear the story behind this gesture and find out what @PCI_IN_Official Chief @DevJhajharia told him before the competition.@AgeasFederal @RohanDC98 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/HtdJcWJ9CZ
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 4, 2024
“I think they felt more pressure than I did for this event,” said Antil, underscoring their commitment. He praised Arun not only as an outstanding coach, but as an older sibling who had been with him through every challenge. “Arun Bhai is like my big brother,” Antil said. “He worked harder than I did, but behind the scenes. He deserved this medal as much as I did. That’s why the first thing I did was put the medal around his neck.”
Even amid the chaos of media interactions, congratulatory calls from PCI officials, and demands from various quarters, Antil kept returning to Arun to capture photos together with the medal. Their celebratory spirit was palpable, yet there was also a quiet determination to push the boundaries further and set new records.
“He is a wonderful coach but an even better human being,” Antil said of Arun. “The positive energy he brings is what helps me stay in the right mental state.
“Our relationship goes beyond that of teacher and student, or athlete and coach. We’re like brothers.”
As we celebrate Teacher’s Day, this special bond between Antil and his coach reminds us of the unique connection some teachers share with their students. Arun, for Antil, is that figure of a big brother, guiding and supporting him beyond the confines of athletics. Then there’s Devendra Jhajharia, the senior mentor in Antil’s life, much like a father figure offering calm and wisdom in high-pressure moments.
When Jhajharia entered the hall after the event, he immediately went to Antil, blessed him, and congratulated him with a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The night before the competition, when Antil couldn’t sleep due to nerves, it was Jhajharia who stayed with him, offering comfort and advice.
“He’s someone we all look up to,” Antil said gratefully. “Devendra Bhai has been through these situations many times, and he knows exactly how to handle the pressure. He used his wisdom to calm me down.”
On this Teacher’s Day, we are reminded that some of the greatest teachers in our lives don’t just instruct – they guide us through the most difficult moments and share in our greatest victories. For Antil, both Arun and Jhajharia play these pivotal roles, and his success is as much a testament to their guidance as to his skill.
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