India’s Record Contingent Set to Shine at World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi

New Delhi, September 12, 2025 – India is poised to make history at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled from September 27 to October 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) has announced a formidable 73-member contingent, including a record-breaking 35 debutants, marking the largest-ever Indian participation at this prestigious global event. Led by two-time Paralympic gold medalist Sumit Antil and featuring flagbearers Dharambir Nain and Preethi Pal, the team showcases a blend of seasoned champions and emerging talents. With over 2,200 athletes from 104 countries competing in 186 medal events, the championships promise to elevate India’s stature in para-athletics. This report details the contingent, key athletes, preparations, and the event’s significance, drawing from recent announcements and media coverage.

Overview of India’s Historic Participation

The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, hosted in India for the first time, represent a landmark moment for the nation’s para-sports ecosystem. The PCI’s announcement of a 73-athlete contingent, with 35 making their global debut, underscores India’s growing prowess in para-athletics. This follows a stellar performance at the 2024 Kobe Championships, where India secured a record 17 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze), ranking 8th globally. The New Delhi event, the 12th edition since its inception as the IPC Athletics World Championships in 1994, will feature elite para-athletes competing on newly laid Mondo tracks, certified for top-tier competition.

India’s contingent reflects geographic diversity, with Haryana leading (31 athletes), followed by Uttar Pradesh (12), Gujarat (5), Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand (4 each), and representation from states like Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Kerala. The team, including 14 women, spans track and field events, with standout names like javelin thrower Mahendra Gurjar, who set a world record of 61.17 meters in the F42 category at the 2025 Nottwil Grand Prix in Switzerland.

Key Athletes and Their Aspirations

Leadership and Flagbearers

• Sumit Antil (Javelin F61-64): The two-time Paralympic champion leads the contingent, aiming to defend his world title on home soil. His leadership is pivotal, with PCI President Devendra Jhajharia praising his inspirational role.
• Dharambir Nain (Club Throw F51) and Preethi Pal (Sprints T35): Named flagbearers for the opening ceremony, these Paralympic medalists embody India’s spirit. Dharambir, a gold medalist, and Preethi, a double bronze winner, aim to set the tone for the team.

Notable Debutants

Among the 35 first-time participants, several athletes are poised to make a mark:

• Mahendra Gurjar (Javelin F42): His world-record throw of 61.17 meters in Nottwil has made him a medal favorite. Training in Patiala, Gurjar said, “This championship isn’t just about medals—it’s about showing the world the spirit of Indian para-athletes and inspiring young girls.”
• Mit Bharatbhai Patel (Long Jump T44): A Gujarat native, Patel expressed excitement about competing before a home crowd: “This is a dream come true. I’m determined to make India proud.”
• Women’s Contingent: Includes Dayawanti (400m T20), Amisha Rawat (Shot Put F46), Anandhi Kulanthaisamy (Club Throw F32), and Suchitra Parida (Javelin F56), showcasing gender diversity and depth.
• Other Debutants: Atul Kaushik (Discus F57), Praveen (Shot Put F46), Haney (Discus F37), Manjeet (Javelin F13), Vishu (Long Jump T12), Pushpendra Singh (Javelin F44), and Ajay Singh (Long Jump T47) add versatility across events.

Returning Stars

• Simran Sharma (Sprints T12): The 2024 Kobe gold medalist in the 200m T12 aims to repeat her success.
• Navdeep (Javelin F40/41) and Nishad Kumar (High Jump T45/46/47): Both Paralympic medalists bring experience to bolster India’s medal hopes.
• Deepthi Jeevanji (400m T20): Her 2024 world record of 55.06 seconds in Kobe makes her a top contender.

Preparations and Infrastructure

The PCI, under President Devendra Jhajharia—a celebrated para-javelin thrower with two Paralympic golds—has ensured world-class preparations. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and its training area feature newly laid Mondo tracks, completed by September 1, 2025, and awaiting World Athletics certification. Accessibility is a priority, with 100 para-friendly buses from the Delhi Transport Corporation and space for 500 wheelchairs at the stands. Jhajharia emphasized, “We aim to host a para-friendly event of the highest order, strengthening India’s bid for the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics.”

Training camps in Patiala and other centers have honed the athletes’ skills, with Gurjar and others expressing confidence in their form. The PCI’s focus on diversity—geographic, gender, and event-based—reflects investments in grassroots para-sports, particularly in Haryana, which contributes nearly half the contingent.

Significance of the Championships

A Milestone for Indian Para-Sports

Hosting the World Para Athletics Championships for the first time, India aims to showcase its organizational prowess and growing para-sports ecosystem. The event, with over 2,200 athletes and officials from 104 countries, is India’s largest-ever para-sporting spectacle, featuring 186 medal events. India’s 45 medals (13 gold, 15 silver, 17 bronze) in past championships place it 15th globally, behind leaders like China (538 medals) and Great Britain (399). The 2025 event offers a chance to climb the rankings.

Inspiring a New Generation

PCI President Jhajharia stated, “Never before have so many Indian athletes made their World Championships debut in a single edition. Each debutant embodies the hopes of a new generation.” Athletes like Gurjar and Patel echoed this, highlighting the event’s potential to inspire youth, especially girls, to pursue sports. The home crowd advantage is expected to boost performances, with Patel noting, “Competing in front of our fans is a dream.”

Economic and Social Impact

The championships are projected to boost Delhi’s tourism and local economy, with thousands of international visitors. Social media on X reflects excitement, with posts praising the contingent’s diversity and Haryana’s dominance. However, some users called for better accessibility beyond the stadium, citing uneven infrastructure in Delhi. The event also aligns with India’s broader push for inclusivity, with para-sports gaining mainstream attention post-2024 Paralympics.

Challenges and Expectations

Challenges

• Pressure on Debutants: With 35 first-timers, managing expectations in a high-stakes global event is critical. Gurjar’s world-record status raises the bar, but debut nerves could be a factor.
• Absence of Mariyappan Thangavelu: The reigning world champion’s opt-out due to injury concerns is a setback, increasing reliance on Antil and others.
• Infrastructure Gaps: While the stadium is ready, last-mile accessibility (e.g., public transport) remains a concern, as noted on X.

Expectations

• Medal Hopes: India aims to surpass its 2024 Kobe tally of 17 medals, with Antil, Gurjar, Sharma, and Jeevanji as top prospects. Analysts predict 20-25 medals, leveraging home support.
• Global Impact: A strong showing could bolster India’s 2036 Paralympics bid, showcasing organizational capacity.
• Inspiration: The PCI expects the event to spur grassroots para-sports, with Haryana’s model replicable nationwide.

Conclusion

The World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi mark a turning point for Indian para-sports, with a record 73-member contingent, including 35 debutants, ready to compete on home soil. Led by Sumit Antil and flagbearers Dharambir Nain and Preethi Pal, the team blends experience and fresh talent, with stars like Mahendra Gurjar poised for global impact. Backed by world-class infrastructure and a passionate home crowd, India aims to exceed its 2024 medal haul while inspiring a new generation. As the nation hosts this global spectacle, the championships signal India’s rise as a para-athletics powerhouse, with implications for inclusivity, economic growth, and future Olympic bids.

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