New Delhi: India capped off a historic campaign at the World Para Athletics Championships with a record 22 medals six gold, nine silver, and seven bronze to finish 10th on the overall table. On the final day, India added three silver and a bronze, highlighted by inspired performances from Simran Sharma, Preethi Pal, and Navdeep Singh.
Simran Sharma delivered a stunning effort to win silver in the women’s 200m T12 event despite battling exhaustion and a stiff back. Competing in her sixth race in two days, the 25-year-old from Uttar Pradesh clocked 24.46 seconds, setting an Asian record and personal best. Initially placed third, she was upgraded to silver after Venezuela’s Alejandra Perez Lopez was disqualified for a guide-runner rule violation. This was Simran’s second medal of the tournament and third overall at the World Para Athletics Championships.
“I’m happy to have won two medals at home and to break the Asian record,” said Simran, who earlier won gold in the 100m T12. “I’ll now target three golds at the 2026 Asian Para Games, and I’m planning to take up long jump as well.”
Preethi Pal showed remarkable mental strength in the women’s 100m T35 after a starter pistol malfunction forced her to race twice in the same evening. The 25-year-old, who had already begun celebrating her initial silver medal, returned two hours later to repeat the result with a season-best 14.33 seconds. “It was very difficult to come back and race again,” said Preethi. “But my coach and physio motivated me. I’m just relieved now.” She also secured a bronze in the 200m T35 earlier in the tournament.
In the men’s F41 javelin final, Paralympic gold medallist Navdeep Singh settled for silver with a best throw of 45.46m, behind Iran’s Sadegh Beit Sayah, who won gold with 48.86m. Despite a strong start, Navdeep couldn’t improve on his season-best mark in his later attempts.
Meanwhile, Sandeep added to India’s tally with a bronze in the men’s 200m T44, clocking a personal best of 23.60 seconds.
Brazil topped the medal standings with 44 medals, followed by China (52) and Iran (16). A Jury of Appeal decision also confirmed Brazil’s Paulino dos Santos Thiago as the men’s shot put F57 silver medallist, leaving India’s Soman Rana with bronze.
India’s record haul marked a new milestone in its para athletics history, showcasing resilience, talent, and growing dominance on the global stage.
