New Delhi: India’s date with history in para sports has arrived. On Saturday, the nation will achieve a momentous milestone when the World Para Athletics Championships kicks off at the revamped JLN Stadium here, with over 2,200 differently-abled athletes – including multiple Paralympics and World champions – from across the globe competing in 186 medal rounds.
The event, taking place in India for the first time, highlights the growth and ambition of the nation’s para-athletics programme and the depth of talent ready to compete at the highest level. India will be the fourth Asian nation after Qatar (2015), UAE (2019) and Japan (2024) to host the championships, which is being organised by the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).
In the last two editions, Indian athletes secured an impressive 27 medals, including nine gold. Scheduled from September 27 to October 5, the current edition features India’s largest-ever contingent of 73 athletes, comprising 54 men and 19 women. The team is relying on both established performers and promising newcomers to achieve its best-ever medal tally.
Prominent para athletes such as Sumit Antil, Preethi Pal, Deepthi Jeevanji, Dharambir Nain and
Praveen Kumar will lead India’s challenge, aiming for an impressive performance in front of the home crowd. The contingent showcases talent from across states, with Haryana contributing the highest number of athletes (31), followed by Uttar Pradesh (12) and Gujarat (5), reflecting nationwide depth and competitive spirit.
Among the international participants, Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland), Magdalena Andruszkiewicz (Poland), Ezra Frech (USA), Petrucio Ferreira (Brazil) and Hunter Woodhall (USA) will be the ones to watch out for.
India’s medals in last five editions: ● Doha (2015): 2 silver
● London (2017): 1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze
● Dubai (2019): 2 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze
● Paris (2023): 3 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze
● Kobe (2024): 6 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze
At the Kobe 2024 World Para Athletics Championships, India finished sixth with 17 medals among the 60 participating nations.
Medal events: A total of 186 medal events are in the programme, comprising 101 events for men, 84 for women, and a mixed relay. This wide range of competitions ensures representation across multiple classifications and disciplines.
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