World Para Athletics 2025: Nishad Kumar Wins Gold with Asian Record, India Hits 15 Medals

As the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 conclude on October 5 at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Team India celebrates a historic medal haul on home soil.

India delivered a remarkable performance on Day Seven of the World Para Athletics Championships 2025, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, adding four more medals to its growing tally, including two gold and two bronze.

The star of the day was Nishad Kumar, who claimed his maiden gold medal in the men’s high jump T47 category, setting a new Asian record with a leap of 2.14m, surpassing his own previous best of 2.09m set at the 2023 edition in Paris.

Nishad, a two-time Paralympic silver medallist, had finished second in previous editions of the World Championships (2023 and 2024) and at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics. However, on Friday, he broke that silver streak, delivering a composed and confident performance by clearing all pre-set heights on his first attempts.

His winning jump of 2.14m secured India’s fifth gold of the tournament and bettered the Asian record in the T47 class.

T47 Classification: This category is for athletes with a unilateral upper limb impairment (e.g., amputation or restricted range of motion in one arm), which affects their shoulder, elbow, or wrist function, but allows for participation in high-impact sports like jumping.

After sealing gold, Nishad made three attempts to clear 2.18m to break the world record but fell just short. His victory was even more significant as he outperformed the world record holder and three-time Paralympic and World Champion, Roderick Townsend-Roberts of the USA, who only managed to clear 2.03m and settled for bronze. Abdullah Ilgaz of Turkiye took silver with a jump of 2.08m.

In another golden moment for India, Simran Sharma clocked a personal best of 11.95 seconds to win the women’s 100m T12 final, marking her second consecutive world title in this category.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist ran with new guide Umar Saifi in their debut international competition together and crossed the finish line under 12 seconds for the first time in her career.

T12 Classification: This class is designated for athletes with moderate visual impairment, who may compete with or without a guide runner. The athletes are still able to perceive shapes and movements, though with significant limitations.

Simran's powerful sprint helped India bag its sixth gold and 15th overall medal at the Championships. She was followed by Liang Yanfen of China who clocked 12.11 seconds (12.110) for silver, while Nagore Folgado of Spain also recorded 12.11 seconds (12.104) to take bronze.

India’s medal tally for the day was completed by Preethi Pal and Pardeep Kumar, both of whom clinched bronze medals in their respective events. Preethi, a double bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, ran a season-best 30.03 seconds in the women’s 200m T35, securing her second consecutive bronze in this event at the Worlds, having also placed third at the 2024 Championships in Kobe, Japan.

T35 Classification: This class includes athletes with coordination impairments such as hypertonia (increased muscle tone), ataxia (impaired balance or coordination), and athetosis (involuntary movements), affecting their running form and speed.

In her race, China’s Guo Qianqian won gold with a season-best of 29.50 seconds, while Egypt’s Fatimah Suwaed claimed silver with a personal best of 30.00 seconds.

Meanwhile, in the men’s discus throw F64, Pardeep Kumar earned bronze after throwing a season-best 46.23m on his fourth attempt. The event was won by Croatia’s Ivan Katanušić, who registered a massive 55.12m, while USA’s Max Rohn finished second with a throw of 50.92m.

F64 Classification: This classification is for field athletes who have moderate to severe movement impairment in one or both legs, including amputees. Athletes may use prosthetics and often compete in a standing position with adjustments for asymmetric balance.

India’s overall medal tally now stands at 15: 6 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze, reflecting a strong showing at home in a competition that features over 2000 athletes from 104 countries, across 186 events. India’s 73-member contingent includes 54 men and 19 women.

In other action on Day Seven, Swiss legend Catherine Debrunner added to her illustrious legacy by winning her fifth gold at the championships, this time in the women’s 400m T53, completing a stunning sweep across all her events.

T53 Classification: This category is for wheelchair track athletes who have full use of their arms and hands, but limited or no trunk function, due to spinal cord injuries or similar impairments.

With the competition set to conclude on October 5, Team India has already achieved a historic feat on home soil. The performance of para-athletes like Nishad Kumar and Simran Sharma not only exemplifies excellence and resilience but also underscores India’s rising dominance in global para athletics.