Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Sept 27: India began its campaign at the World Para Athletics Championships on a golden note, as Shailesh Kumar clinched the country’s first gold medal, while fellow high jumper Varun Singh Bhati secured a bronze, giving the hosts a double podium finish on the opening day.
Competing in the men’s high jump T63 event, Shailesh delivered a sensational performance, clearing a personal best of 1.91 metres in the T42 category to smash both the Championship and Asian records. His winning jump placed him ahead of reigning Paralympic champion Ezra Frech of the United States, who took silver.
Shailesh Kumar (left) and Varun Singh Bhati
Frech and Bhati both recorded a best clearance of 1.85 metres, but the American was awarded silver on countback, while Bhati claimed the bronze. Another Indian athlete, Rahul, finished fourth among the five finalists with a best attempt of 1.78 metres.
Three Indian jumpers competed in the T42 classification, which includes athletes with a single above-the-knee amputation or a comparable impairment. The event was combined with the T63 category, covering athletes with through-knee or above-knee limb deficiency, to form a stronger competitive field.
India’s medal haul on Day 1 was further enhanced by Deepthi Jeevanji, who captured a silver in the women’s 400m T20 final, taking the country’s tally to three medals on the opening day.
The 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Championships is being hosted by India for the first time, running from September 27 to October 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. With more than 1,000 athletes from over 100 countries, it marks the largest para-sport event ever held in the country.
The Championships feature 186 medal events across disciplines — 15 more than the last edition in Kobe — including sprints, long-distance races, relays, jumps, and throws. The JLN Stadium has been extensively upgraded with a new MONDO track and world-class athlete facilities to meet international standards.
Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed athletes and delegates via a post on X, calling the tournament a celebration of human resilience and inclusivity: “A warm welcome and best wishes to all participants. This tournament celebrates human determination and spirit. May this tournament inspire a more inclusive and vibrant sporting culture across the world.”
India’s early medal success has energised the home crowd and set the tone for what promises to be a landmark edition of the Championships — both in terms of performance and the promotion of para-sports in the country.