Key Points

The Championships, sponsored by IndianOil, promise thrilling drama, fierce rivalries, and unforgettable performances as over 100 medallists altogether who won 308 medals in the Paris Paralympics--including 112 gold, 96 silver, and 100 bronze medallists--return to test their mettle on the grandest para athletics stage, as per a press release from the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).

This edition marks the first time India hosts this prestigious event and includes an expanded competition programme with 186 medal events--15 more than the last edition in Kobe, featuring 101 events for men, 84 for women, and one mixed event.

Leading the charge is Germany's Markus Rehm, the four-time Paralympic champion and seven-time world champion in the men's long jump T64. Known as the Blade Jumper, Rehm holds a world record that surpasses every Olympic gold medal jump this century. India's pride, Sumit Antil, two-time Paralympic gold medallist and defending WPAC champion in Men's Javelin F64, is set to dazzle the home crowd once again.

Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland, who made headlines with five golds and a silver across six events at Paris, will compete in five races in New Delhi, aiming to replicate her monumental success, the release said.

Paralympian Praveen Kumar, Men's High Jumper T64, is eager to complete his medal collection with a World Para Athletics Championships gold on home soil.

Other stars include Brazil's Petrucio Ferreira, the fastest Paralympian on the planet, who will be chasing his fifth consecutive world title in the men's 100m T47, and India's flag bearer Preeti Pal, who clinched two bronze medals at Paris 2024 and competed strongly in Kobe.

Australia's Vanessa Low, gold medallist in Long Jump T63 at Paris, will be back on the familiar grounds of JLN stadium, continuing to lead an elite field of competitors.

Additional Olympic medallists such as Safia Djelal, Jesse Zesseu, and Nassima Saifi will add further star power.

Beyond the established stars, the Championships will showcase emerging talent eager to announce their arrival, making it a truly unmissable event for sports fans worldwide.

The New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships promises to be a landmark moment for Indian sport--celebrating the resilience, skill, and spirit of para athletes in front of passionate home fans.

- ANI