New Delhi, October 6, 2025: The IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships witnessed yet another golden chapter in India’s para-sport history as our para-athletes delivered an unforgettable performance on Day 9, the penultimate day of the event. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) turned into a sea of tricolour pride, echoing the chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” as the home contingent added three more medals, pushing India’s tally to a record-breaking 18 medals before the grand finale.
At the forefront of this historic day was Ekta Bhyan, India’s para-throw queen, who clinched silver in the women’s club throw F51 event, while Praveen Kumar and Soman Rana added two hard-fought bronzes to keep India’s medal surge alive.
Ekta Bhyan’s Silver Shines Bright: A Symbol of Strength and Perseverance
India’s Ekta Bhyan, a beacon of courage and consistency, once again made the nation proud with a stunning silver in the women’s club throw F51 event. Competing against the world’s best, Ekta displayed her trademark composure and strength, registering a best throw of 21.66 metres, narrowly behind Ukraine’s Zoia Ovsii, who claimed gold with a championship-winning 24.03 metres.
The F51 category, which features athletes with severe physical impairments, demands immense technical precision and upper-body strength — qualities Ekta embodies perfectly. The 2024 World Champion from Kobe, who overcame a life-changing accident years ago, has now become the face of Indian para-throw events, proving that resilience knows no limits. Her silver medal wasn’t just another podium finish — it was a statement of India’s rising dominance in global para athletics.
Praveen Kumar Soars to Bronze in Men’s High Jump T64
Tokyo Paralympic silver medalist Praveen Kumar once again leapt into history books with a bronze medal in the men’s high jump T64 event. Facing stiff competition from world-class jumpers across the T44 and T64 categories, Praveen delivered a season-best performance of 2.00 metres, clearing 1.94m, 1.97m, and 2.00m before bowing out after narrow misses at higher heights.
The packed stands at JLN Stadium erupted with joy as the 22-year-old Haryana athlete soared gracefully, blending strength and style. His medal not only added to India’s tally but also showcased India’s technical excellence in field events, traditionally dominated by European nations.
Speaking post-event, Praveen shared, “Competing on home soil gave me unmatched energy. Every cheer from the crowd pushed me higher.” His words echoed the spirit of every athlete representing India — undaunted, united, and unstoppable.
Soman Rana’s Emotional Bronze in Men’s Shot Put F57
Adding another inspiring chapter, Soman Rana earned his first-ever World Championships medal with a bronze in men’s shot put F57. Once a national-level boxer, Soman transitioned into para athletics after injury and now stands as one of India’s most powerful throwers.
With a season-best throw of 14.69 metres, Soman fought valiantly in a field that saw Iran’s Yasin Khosravi set a new world record at 16.60 metres. Despite tough competition, Soman’s composure and focus were evident throughout. His medal, beyond the numbers, symbolized redemption, reinvention, and relentless effort.
The roar of the Indian fans as the bronze was confirmed brought tears to Soman’s eyes — a moment that defined the emotional intensity of this championship.
India’s Record-Breaking Medal Haul: Pride, Passion, and Performance
As the penultimate day concluded, India’s medal count soared to 18 medals (5 Gold, 6 Silver, 7 Bronze) — surpassing the previous best of 17 from Kobe 2024. With one day to go, the goal of crossing the 20-medal mark looked more than achievable.
Over 1,000 athletes from 104 nations competed across 186 events, and the JLN Stadium’s state-of-the-art MONDO track witnessed 35 world records and 104 championship records, making this edition the most successful ever hosted in Asia.
Hosting the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time, India not only proved its organizational excellence but also underlined its growing stature as a global hub for inclusive sports.
Earlier Highlights: India’s Golden Week of Inspiration
India’s journey to the penultimate day was already studded with golden moments that set the tone for the strong finish.
- Simran Sharma emerged as the queen of the track, clinching gold in the women’s 100m T12 (11.95s) and silver in 200m T12 (24.46s), setting a new Asian record.
- Preeti Pal stormed to silver in women’s 100m T35 with a timing of 14.33s, earning her maiden global medal.
- Navdeep Singh continued his consistent run, securing silver in men’s javelin F41 with 45.46m, while Sandeep brought home bronze in men’s 200m T44 clocking 23.60s.
- The nation also celebrated earlier triumphs from Sumit Antil (javelin F64) and Nishad Kumar (high jump T47), who secured gold medals, reinforcing India’s multi-event strength in throws, jumps, and sprints alike.
Each of these performances underlined India’s depth in para athletics — a result of years of investment, grassroots programs, and unwavering support from organizations like Sports Authority of India (SAI), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), and corporate partners such as IndianOil.
Inclusivity and Innovation at the Heart of Indian Hosting
Beyond the medals and records, what stood out in the IndianOil World Para Athletics Championships 2025 was India’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. From Braille-inscribed medals to barrier-free athlete zones, and AI-powered assistive tech, India set a new global benchmark in adaptive sports hosting.
Despite minor logistical hiccups like stray dog incidents noted by a few foreign coaches, the overall execution won global praise. International media lauded India for “combining emotional warmth with professional precision,” reflecting the seamless blend of Indian hospitality and global standards.
The crowd engagement, school participation drives, and volunteer enthusiasm ensured that the event wasn’t just a sporting spectacle — it became a national movement for inclusion.
Ekta Bhyan and Team India: Inspiring a Generation
The penultimate day’s results were more than just medal counts; they represented stories of courage, transformation, and triumph. Athletes like Ekta Bhyan, Praveen Kumar, and Soman Rana are redefining what it means to represent the tricolour.
Their performances have ignited a new wave of awareness for para sports in India, inspiring young athletes from smaller towns to dream big. As the championships near their conclusion, the focus now shifts to the final medal push, with India determined to finish as Asia’s top-performing nation.
The message is clear — India’s para-athletes are not just competing; they are conquering.
A Nation Celebrates Its Para Heroes
As the world applauds India’s record-breaking campaign, one thing stands certain: the Indian para-athletic revolution is here to stay. From grassroots coaching programs to international exposure camps, the progress is systemic and sustainable.
The IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships will go down in history not just as an event, but as a turning point in India’s sporting identity. It reaffirmed that when passion meets purpose, impossibility fades away.
With hearts full of pride and eyes on future glory, we salute our champions who continue to lift the nation’s spirit one medal at a time. Jai Hind!
