New Delhi – India has etched its name in the annals of Para athletics history at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025, setting a new benchmark for performance. The nation concluded the competition, which ran from September 27th to October 5th at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, with an unprecedented medal haul, marking their best-ever performance in the history of the championships.
The Indian contingent, comprising 73 athletes, 54 men and 19 women, showcased exceptional talent and determination across various events. The team's efforts culminated in a total of 18 medals, including six gold, seven silver, and five bronze. This surpassed their previous best of 17 medals achieved at the previous edition in Kobe, Japan.
Shailesh Kumar set the tone early, securing India's first gold medal in the men's high jump T63 class with an Asian record. Deepthi Jeevanji followed suit with a silver in the women's 400m T20 class. Rinku Hooda and Sundar Singh Gurjar added to the gold rush in the men's javelin throw F46 class, winning gold and silver, respectively. Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic javelin throw champion, clinched his third world championship gold medal.
On the penultimate day, Ekta Bhyan won silver in the women's club throw F51 with a season-best throw of 19.80 meters. Soman Rana secured silver in the men's shot put F57 with a throw of 14.69m, marking his maiden World Para Athletics Championships medal. Praveen Kumar added a bronze in the men's high jump T64 with a season-best clearance of 2 meters.
Ekta Bhyan delivered consistent throws in the F51 final, reserving her best for the last. Zoia Ovsii of Ukraine, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics champion, won gold with 24.03 meters, and Ekaterina Potapova, a neutral para athlete, took bronze with 18.60 meters. In the men's shot put F57, Yasin Khosravi of Iran won gold with a world record of 16.60 meters, and Teijo Koopikka of Finland secured bronze at 14.51 meters. Praveen Kumar cleared 1.94 meters, 1.97 meters, and 2.00 meters before failing at higher heights in the T64 high jump. Temurbek Giyazov of Uzbekistan won gold at 2.03 meters, and Jonathan Broom-Edwards of Great Britain took silver, clearing 2 meters on his first attempt.
This year's competition, the 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships, drew over 2000 athletes from 104 nations, competing across 186 events. This is the first time the event has been hosted in India, marking a significant milestone for the growth of Para sports in the nation. The event is the largest Para sport event ever held in India.
The logo and mascot for the event were revealed on June 20, 2025. The mascot, named Viraaj, is a spirited young elephant with a blade prosthesis, symbolizing strength, optimism, and resilience. The logo captures India's rich heritage, the spirit of Para athletics, and the vibrancy of New Delhi. The front side of the medal features motifs inspired by traditional Indian art and Para athletics icons. The other side highlights inclusivity, with Braille above the "New Delhi 2025" inscription.
India's performance at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 signals a new era for Para sports in the country. The success of the athletes and the experience of hosting a world-class event will inspire future generations and promote a more inclusive society.
