PCI President Devendra Jhajharia predicts historic 20+ medal haul for India at New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
India is gearing up for a massive moment in para-sports as it hosts the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships from September 27 to October 5 at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. This will be the biggest para-sporting event ever on Indian soil, drawing athletes from 104 countries and over 2,200 participants. What’s exciting is that India is sending its largest-ever contingent—a whopping 73 athletes—to the World Para Athletics Championships, showing just how far para-athletics in India has come.
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) announced this powerhouse team, which mixes experienced stars with fresh talent. Leading the charge is javelin thrower Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist and defending world champion. Other big names include Praveen Kumar, Nishad Kumar, Simran Sharma, Preeti Pal, Navdeep, Dharambir Nain, and Pranav Soorma. Rinku Hooda, who grabbed silver at the 2023 Paris World Championships, is eyeing gold this time, while Ekta Bhyan aims to defend her title in the Club Throw F51 event.
A record 35 of these athletes are making their debut at the World Para Athletics Championships, and they’re already turning heads. Take Mahendra Gurjar, for instance—he smashed a world record with a 61.17m javelin throw in the men’s F42 category at the Nottwil Grand Prix in Switzerland earlier this year. This squad isn’t just from traditional powerhouses like Haryana; it pulls talent from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and more states, highlighting India’s diverse para-athletics scene.
PCI President and two-time Paralympic gold medallist Devendra Jhajharia is super confident about the team’s performance. “We’ve got 73 athletes—the biggest Indian contingent ever for the World Para Athletics Championships. This shows the real growth in para-sports here,” he said. At the last edition in Kobe, India won 17 medals. Jhajharia predicts they’ll top 20 this time and make history at home. “Every athlete in this team has battled huge challenges. They’re inspiring a whole new generation to chase dreams in sports without limits,” he added.
The New Delhi 2025 event ramps up the action with 186 medal events—15 more than Kobe—including 101 for men, 84 for women, and one mixed. It’s a first for India as host, and Prasar Bharati will broadcast it live nationwide, so fans can cheer on these resilient stars. This championships isn’t just about medals; it’s a celebration of grit and talent that’s pushing Indian para-athletes to dominate the global stage.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
