Some of the world’s best para-athletes, including blade runners, prosthetic jumpers and wheelchair-bound competitors, will showcase their awe-inspiring grit and resilience in the biggest ever World Para Athletics Championships beginning here on Saturday.
India, a rising power in para-sports, including para-athletics, has rolled out top-class facilities for the 12th edition of the event, which will continue till October 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
With 2,200 athletes and officials from 104 countries participating in the nine-day event, the New Delhi edition is the biggest in history with India joining Qatar (2015), UAE (2019) and Japan (2024) as the fourth Asian nation to host the prestigious event. More than 1,500 para-athletes will compete across 186 medal events, 15 more than the 2024 edition in Japan.
The championships will witness top-class performances as over 100 athletes who won 308 medals in the Paris Paralympics, including 112 gold, are set to put their best foot forward on the grandest para-athletics stage. There will be 101 events for men, 84 for women and a mixed event.
Praising India for providing top-class facilities for the event, World Para Athletics President Paul Fitzgerald said new world records would be made and new champions crowned. "This edition will be the largest single event para championships in history, and credit to India for hosting this. Spectators inside the stadium and a global audience around the world will experience the brilliance of the athletes competing in newly renovated facilities designed to maximise their skill, speed and strength," said Fitzgerald.
The centrepiece of the event is the high-performance Mondo track at the competition venue as well as the warm-up area. The track, made of two-layered vulcanised rubber, has been widely lauded for its uniform elasticity, shock absorption and anti-slip qualities.
Among the world's best para-athletes vying for the top honours are Blade Jumper Markus Rehm of Germany, wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland and fastest para-sprinter Petrucio Ferreira of Brazil.
Rehm, a four-time Paralympic champion and seven-time world champion in the men's long jump T64, holds a world record which even surpasses every Olympic gold medal jump of this century. Debrunner, who had won five gold and a silver in six events in the 2024 Paris Paralympics, will compete in five races in New Delhi.
India eyes Top-5 finish
Fielding its largest ever contingent of 74 athletes, India is aiming to finish in the top five in the medal tally. The Paralympic Committee of India is expecting more than 20 medals.
Deepthi Jeevanji (women's 400m T20), Sachin Khilari (men's shot put F46), Sumit Antil (men’s javelin F64), Ekta Bhyan (women's club throw F51) and Simran Sharma (women's 200m T12) will hope to repeat their gold medal-winning performances of 2024.
Sumit, whose left leg had to be amputated following an accident, is a two-time Paralympic gold medallist and defending champion in men's javelin F64. Praveen Kumar, born with a congenital impairment resulting in a shorter leg, is the Paris Paralympics champion in men's T64 high jump.
Pakistan stays away
Pakistan has officially announced a boycott of the World Para Athletics Championships, citing government advice amid escalating political tensions with India and security concerns. The Indian authorities expressed disappointment over the decision, saying safety and hospitality for all participants remain a priority.
Also read: New Delhi to host 2025 Para Athletics World Championships
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