India's Stellar Performance at World Para Athletics Championships 2025: A Historic Home Triumph

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The World Para Athletics Championships 2025 has marked a watershed moment for Indian para athletics as the nation hosts the prestigious event for the first time at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. India's para athletes have delivered exceptional performances on home soil, currently standing fourth in the medal table with an impressive tally of nine medals with four gold, four silver, and one bronze.

The 73 member Indian contingent, comprising 54 men and 19 women, has exceeded expectations in what is being hailed as one of the most successful World Para Athletics Championships campaigns for the country. With Brazil leading the medal standings with 30 medals and 8 gold, followed by China with 21 medals and 7 gold, India's fourth position demonstrates the nation's growing prowess in para athletics.

The undisputed star of India's campaign has been Sumit Antil, who created history by becoming the first Indian para athlete to win three consecutive World Championships gold medals. Despite battling a painful shoulder injury, the two time Paralympic champion hurled his javelin to a championship record of 71.37m in the men's F64 category on September 30. Watched by Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra from the stands, Antil surpassed his own previous championship record of 70.83m set in Paris 2023. The 27 year old admitted his disappointment at not breaking his world record of 73.29m, stating he was targeting a 75 meter throw despite the injury limitations. In a remarkable display of Indian dominance in javelin throwing, Sandip Singh Sargar claimed gold in the men's F44 category with a winning throw of 62.82m, while compatriot Sandeep Chaudhary secured silver with 62.67m. This one two finish highlighted India's exceptional depth in para athletics field events. India's golden run began on the opening day with Shailesh Kumar winning gold in the men's high jump T63 category on September 27, setting the tone for the championship. Rinku Hooda added another gold on September 29 in the men's javelin throw F46 class with a championship record throw of 66.37m, finishing ahead of fellow Indian Sundar Singh Gurjar who claimed silver.

India's medal haul has been bolstered by impressive silver medal performances across multiple disciplines. Deepthi Jeevanji opened India's medal account with silver in the women's 400m T20 on the first day. Yogesh Kathuniya secured silver in the men's discus throw F56 final with a throw of 42.49m, while the veteran combination of Rinku Hooda and Sundar Singh Gurjar delivered gold and silver respectively in the men's javelin F46 category.

Varun Singh Bhati contributed India's lone bronze medal so far, claiming third place in the men's high jump T63 category alongside Shailesh Kumar's gold.

As the championship enters its crucial phase, several Indian athletes remain in contention for medals in upcoming events. Paralympic champion Dharambir and Pranav Soorma were among the key competitors in the men's club throw F51 final on October 2, with both athletes having previously achieved podium finishes at major international competitions.

Sachin Khilari and Mohammed Yasser competed in the men's shot put F46 final, while Dilip Gavit, who set an Asian record in the heats, was a strong contender for the men's 400m T47 final. Other athletes in action included Sharmila in women's shot put F57, Pardeep in men's long jump T44, and several competitors across discus and long jump events. The final days of competition feature several Indian medal prospects, including visually impaired sprinter Simran Sharma in the women's 100m and 200m T12 events. The Arjuna Award winner and world champion will be defending her 200m world title won at the 2024 Kobe Championships, where she became the first Indian woman to claim a world para athletics gold in sprinting. Preethi Pal, India's double Paralympic bronze medalist from Paris 2024, is also expected to compete in her specialty T35 sprint events during the final phase of the championship. The 23 year old from Muzaffarnagar became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic medals in track and field events.

The World Para Athletics Championships 2025 has already established itself as a defining moment for Indian para athletics, showcasing the country's emergence as a formidable force on the global stage. With competition scheduled to conclude on October 5, India's current fourth place standing represents the nation's best ever performance at a World Para Athletics Championships. The championship features 186 medal events with over 2,000 athletes from 104 countries competing, making it the largest para sport gathering ever held on Indian soil. As the final events unfold, India's para athletes continue to embody the spirit of determination and excellence that has made this home championship a historic success story. The performances in New Delhi have not only elevated India's global standing in para athletics but also inspired a new generation of athletes who will carry forward the legacy of this remarkable championship for years to come.