India’s Historic Performance at World Para Athletics Championships 2025
India created history at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 held in New Delhi, achieving their best-ever performance with a total of 22 medals. The host nation finished 10th in the overall standings with six gold medals, nine silver medals, and seven bronze medals. This remarkable achievement surpassed India’s previous best of 17 medals won at the 2024 edition in Kobe, Japan.
The 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi from September 27 to October 5, 2025. This was the first time India hosted the championship and marked the largest para sports event ever held in the country. More than 2,000 athletes from 104 countries competed in 186 medal events, including 101 men’s events, 84 women’s events, and one mixed event.
The Indian contingent consisted of 73 para-athletes, featuring 54 men and 19 women. Throughout the competition, Indian athletes set three championship records, seven Asian records, and achieved more than 30 personal bests.
Opening Day Success
India’s campaign began on a high note on September 27, 2025, with three medals on the opening day. Shailesh Kumar opened India’s medal account by winning gold in the men’s high jump T63 class with a championship record jump of 1.91 meters. The 25-year-old athlete from Bihar not only broke the championship record but also set a new Asian record in the T42 classification.
Shailesh Kumar, who contracted polio in his right leg at age five, cleared the bar at 1.91m to defeat defending Paralympic champion Ezra Frech of the United States. His teammate Varun Singh Bhati also secured bronze in the same event with a clearance of 1.85m.
Later that day, Deepthi Jeevanji won India’s first silver medal in the women’s 400m T20 class. The 22-year-old sprinter from Telangana clocked a season-best time of 55.16 seconds to finish second behind Turkey’s Aysel Onder, who set a new world record of 54.51 seconds.
Javelin Throw Dominance
India’s javelin throwers delivered outstanding performances throughout the championship. Sumit Antil, the two-time Paralympic champion, claimed his third consecutive world championship gold medal in the men’s F64 class. His throw of 71.37 meters not only secured victory but also set a new championship record.
Sumit Antil’s achievement made him the most successful Indian para-athlete in World Championship history. The 26-year-old athlete, who lost his left leg in a road accident in 2015, has now won three consecutive world titles after victories in Paris 2023 and Kobe 2024.
Sandip Singh Sargar and Sandeep provided a one-two finish for India in the men’s F44 javelin throw class. Sargar won gold with a throw of 62.82m, while Sandeep claimed silver with 62.67m.
In the men’s F46 javelin throw, Rinku Hooda secured gold while Sundar Singh Gurjar won silver. Navdeep Singh, the Paris 2024 Paralympic champion, added another silver medal for India in the F41 class with his season-best throw of 45.46m on the final day.
High Jump Excellence
India’s high jumpers made significant contributions to the medal tally. Besides Shailesh Kumar’s gold and Varun Singh Bhati’s bronze in the T63 class, Nishad Kumar won gold in the men’s high jump T47 category. Kumar cleared 2.14 meters to set a new Asian record and claim his first major championship gold.
Praveen Kumar, the Paris 2024 Paralympic champion, added a bronze medal in the men’s high jump T64 class.
Sprinting Success
Simran Sharma emerged as India’s top female performer at the championship. She won gold in the women’s 100m T12 class and added a silver medal in the 200m T12 event. In the 200m final, Sharma clocked an Asian record time of 24.46 seconds while running with her guide Umar Saifi.
Preethi Pal, the two-time Paralympic bronze medalist, secured two medals for India. She won silver in the women’s 100m T35 and bronze in the 200m T35 events. The women’s 100m T35 final had to be rerun due to a starter pistol malfunction, but Preethi showed mental strength to win silver in both attempts.
Other Medal Winners
India’s medal winners also included athletes from field events. Ekta Bhyan won silver in the women’s club throw F51 class with a season-best effort of 19.80m. Dharambir Nainsecured silver in the men’s club throw F51 category.
Yogesh Kathuniya added another silver medal for India in the men’s discus throw F56 class. In shot put, Soman Rana won bronze in the men’s F57 category.
Atul Kaushik and Pardeep Kumar contributed bronze medals in discus throw events, competing in the F57 and F64 classes respectively.
Final Day Drama
The final day of competition on October 5 provided plenty of excitement for Indian fans. Four medals were won on the concluding day, lifting India’s total to 22. Besides the medals won by Simran Sharma, Preethi Pal, and Navdeep Singh, Sandeep claimed bronze in the men’s 200m T44 with a personal best time of 23.60 seconds.
The day was not without challenges, as technical issues led to the women’s 100m T35 race being rerun after a starter pistol malfunction. Despite the difficult conditions and having to compete twice, Preethi Pal showed remarkable mental strength to secure her silver medal.
Global Competition Results
While India celebrated their historic performance, Brazil topped the medal table with 44 medals (15 gold, 20 silver, 9 bronze). China finished second with 52 total medals but fewer golds than Brazil (13 gold, 22 silver, 17 bronze). The Islamic Republic of Iran took third place with 16 medals (9 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze).
Complete List of Indian Medal Winners
India’s 22 medal winners at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 included:
Gold Medals (6):
- Sumit Antil – Men’s javelin throw F64
- Sandip Singh Sargar – Men’s javelin throw F44
- Shailesh Kumar – Men’s high jump T63
- Rinku Hooda – Men’s javelin throw F46
- Nishad Kumar – Men’s high jump T47
- Simran Sharma – Women’s 100m T12
Silver Medals (9):
- Ekta Bhyan – Women’s club throw F51
- Deepthi Jeevanji – Women’s 400m T20
- Sundar Singh Gurjar – Men’s javelin throw F46
- Sandeep – Men’s javelin throw F44
- Yogesh Kathuniya – Men’s discus throw F56
- Dharambir Nain – Men’s club throw F51
- Simran Sharma – Women’s 200m T12
- Preethi Pal – Women’s 100m T35
- Navdeep Singh – Men’s javelin throw F41
Bronze Medals (7):
- Varun Singh Bhati – Men’s high jump T63
- Atul Kaushik – Men’s discus throw F57
- Soman Rana – Men’s shot put F57
- Preethi Pal – Women’s 200m T35
- Pardeep Kumar – Men’s discus throw F64
- Praveen Kumar – Men’s high jump T64
- Sandeep – Men’s 200m T44
Record-Breaking Performances
The World Para Athletics Championships 2025 saw several Indian athletes achieve personal milestones and set new records. Shailesh Kumar’s 1.91m jump broke both the championship and Asian records in the T42 classification. Simran Sharma’s 24.46 seconds in the 200m T12 established a new Asian record.
Sumit Antil’s championship record throw of 71.37m in the F64 javelin throw further solidified his position as one of the world’s best para-athletes. Nishad Kumar’s 2.14m clearance in the high jump T47 also set a new Asian record.
The championship marked a significant step forward for Indian para athletics, demonstrating the country’s growing strength across multiple disciplines and classifications. The home advantage, combined with excellent preparation and strong crowd support, helped Indian athletes deliver their best performances on the biggest stage.
This historic achievement at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 has set a new benchmark for Indian para sports and established the country as a rising force in global para athletics competition.
