India’s first‑time hosting of the World Para Athletics Championships proved to be a huge win for the country. The nine‑day event at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi saw India finish 10th overall, but it marked the biggest medal haul the nation has ever taken from a World Championships.
22 medals, 10th place – a home‑ground triumph
Indian athletes captured 6 gold, 9 silver and 7 bronze medals, a total that tops any previous edition. The team also set three championship records, seven Asian records and produced more than 30 personal bests. With more Indians on the podium than the count of 2024, organisers and fans alike celebrated a historic performance.
Stand‑out Indian stars
- Simran ran the 100 m T12 and earned a gold with an Asian record time of 24.46‑seconds. She also took a silver in the 200 m T12.
- Preeti Pal added a silver in the 200 m T11 and a bronze in the 200 m T35 for India.
- Navdeep claimed silver in the men’s Javelin Throw T41 with a throw of 45.46‑m.
- Sandeep earned a bronze in the 200 m T44 on Sunday.
These performances underscored how many Indian athletes are reaching the top levels of the sport.
Other top performances
The championships saw 35 world records and 104 championship records broken, tying Paris 2023 for the most world records set. Ninety‑four nations won medals; 44 countries secured at least one gold.
Brazil topped the medal table for the first time, thanks to a strong finish and a pair of golds in the women’s 200 m T11 and T12. China, the dominant power for the last decade, finished second with 13 golds. The event also marked the biggest medal haul by any country at a World Para Athletics Championships for a single host nation.
A memorable day in New Delhi
The final day finished with a mix of drama and triumph. Simran’s silver in the women’s 100 m T12 came after the Venezuelan athlete was disqualified for a pulling violation, moving Simran up the standings. A re‑run of the women’s 100 m T35 gave Preeti Pal a silver after a start‑gun malfunction. These moments highlighted the high stakes and the strict fairness standards that defined the championships.
The event highlighted the growing competitiveness of Para athletics and showcased the ambition of athletes and host nations alike. India’s record haul and the record-breaking performances set a high bar for the next World Championships scheduled to be held elsewhere.
Source: ianslive
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