By News18,Siddarth Sriram,Sports Desk

Copyright news18

India made history at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, not just as hosts but as a force to be reckoned with in global para sport.
Held at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from September 27 to October 5, the championship saw Indian para-athletes deliver their best-ever showing on home soil — amassing 22 medals (6 gold, 9 silver, and 7 bronze), surpassing last year’s tally of 17 in Kobe, Japan.
It was a week that blended athletic brilliance, national pride, and an indomitable spirit — all of which drew high praise from Nita Ambani, Founder and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation.
“A Testament to Inclusion, Resilience, and Excellence”
Mrs. Ambani congratulated the Indian contingent for what she described as a defining chapter in the nation’s para sports journey.
“Congratulations to all our para athletes for their outstanding performance at the World Para Athletics Championships! With 6 gold, 9 silver, and 7 bronze medals, India achieved its best-ever medal tally of 22 — a testament to our growing strength in para sport,” said Mrs Ambani.
“Hosting this historic event for the first time and watching our champions shine on home soil fills us with immense pride. Their courage and perseverance remind us that the greatest victories are those of the human spirit — of inclusion, resilience, and excellence.”
A Historic Moment for Indian Para Sport
This was the first time India hosted the World Para Athletics Championships, and the success of the event matched the achievements of its athletes.
Over nine days, Indian competitors broke personal bests, national records, and even world records — embodying the evolution of India as a global sporting power.
With 22 medals in total, India ranked fifth in overall medal count, behind China (52), Brazil (44), the USA (27), and the UK (25). However, in the official medal table, where rankings are based on gold count, India finished tenth among 104 participating nations — still its best-ever finish at the championships.
Golden Names That Shone Bright
Leading India’s charge were several world-class performances that brought the crowd at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to its feet.
The gold medalists included:

Simran Sharma (Women’s 100m T12)
Nishad Kumar (Men’s High Jump T47)
Sumit Antil (Men’s Javelin Throw F64)
Sandip Sanjay Sargar (Men’s Javelin Throw F44)
Rinku Hooda (Men’s Javelin Throw F46)
Shailesh Kumar (Men’s High Jump T63)

Simran Sharma and Preeti Pal were among the standout performers, each clinching two medals in their respective sprint categories.