Catherine Debrunner added another gold to her stellar collection at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi. The Swiss para-athlete dominated the women’s 5000m T54 final on Sunday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, clocking a winning time of 12:18.29. She finished ahead of China’s Tian Yajuan and her fellow Swiss competitor Patricia Eachus.
At 30, Debrunner needs little introduction in the para-athletics world. She topped the charts at the 2024 Paris Paralympics with five golds and one silver. Before this victory, she had already grabbed five golds and three silvers at previous World Para Athletics Championships.
This marked Debrunner’s first trip to India, and she opened up about the experience after her win. “It’s my first time in India, and I must say it has been a totally different culture and country than I’m used to,” she shared. “It’s definitely a very different experience.”
The event features a fresh Mondo track, and Debrunner gave it a fair review while raving about the venue. “The newly-laid Mondo track—it takes a while before they get really quick,” she said. “Nevertheless, it’s been a decent track. It’s a really good stadium. Thank you very much for welcoming us here.”
Debrunner’s para-athletics journey started young, at just eight years old, turning her into a true legend. In 2023, she earned the prestigious Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award.
Looking back, she’s thankful for every step. “It’s been a really long journey,” Debrunner reflected. “I am really grateful for all the experiences that I have had. I have met a lot of amazing people, athletes, and some of them I have known 20 years now. Seeing all of us grow not just as athletes but also as people—it’s been just amazing. I’m happy to be part of this community. It’s my passion, and living my passion every day is the nicest thing I can imagine.”
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