The World Para Athletics Championships 2025 began on a golden note for India, with high jumper Sailesh Kumar soaring to victory in the T63 category to claim the host nation’s first gold medal. For Devendra Jhajharia, Paralympics legend and president of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), the event’s success is not just about medal tallies but about laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive para sport movement across the country.
‘A Springboard for the Movement’
“The event couldn’t have come at a better time for India,” said Jhajharia, speaking to Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net) pointing to the country’s stellar show at the last two Paralympic Games — 19 medals in Tokyo and a record 29 in Paris. Those numbers, he noted, surpassed India’s medal count at the corresponding Summer Olympics.
Para athletics accounted for 17 of our 29 medals in Paris, and I’m hopeful we can better our previous World Championships tally of 17 from Kobe and touch the 20-mark this time.
Beyond the Podium: A Vision for Inclusion
Jhajharia, who is leading the organising committee of the New Delhi event, said he wants to use the championship as a launchpad for long-term change.
I want to take the movement to a different level — where every district in India has para-friendly grounds. The government’s support through TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) and initiatives like Olympic Gold Quest and GoSports Foundation has helped, but there’s still a long way to go.
The PCI chief pointed to ongoing challenges such as the high cost of equipment and limited accessibility for aspiring athletes. “Social acceptance remains a hurdle, and I hope the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and World Para Athletics (WPA) will focus on these aspects.”
The opening day, however, saw sparse crowds at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium — a reminder that para sport still fights for mainstream acceptance in India.
‘India Has Taken a Giant Leap’
The growth of para athletics here is remarkable — from just two silver medals at Doha 2015 to 17 medals, including six gold, at Kobe last year. It’s now up to the PCI to leverage this momentum for the future.
JLN Turns Para-Friendly
The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which has hosted landmark events like the 1982 Asian Games and 2010 Commonwealth Games, has undergone a major facelift with new MONDO tracks for both competition and warm-ups.
Hosting an event for para athletes is completely different. There are athletes with varying levels of disability, including many who are wheelchair users. We’ve made most of the toilets wheelchair-adapted, and I can proudly say the venue is now nearly 100% para-friendly.
From Churu to Champion: Jhajharia’s Journey
Jhajharia’s own story is a testament to perseverance. Growing up in Churu, Rajasthan, he lost his left arm at age eight after being electrocuted while climbing a tree.
When I returned home after winning gold in Athens, there wasn’t a single person at the airport to receive me. Things have changed — and my heart fills with pride that para athletes now contribute the lion’s share of India’s medals.
A Timely Boost for India’s Sporting Ambitions
With India’s bids for the 2036 Olympics and 2030 Commonwealth Games being discussed, hosting the World Para Athletics successfully could strengthen India’s case for staging global events.
Asked how the event came to India, the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awardee explained that groundwork was laid during last year’s Paris Paralympics.
During a meeting with the IPC and WPA, the Sports Secretary and I expressed our desire to host such an event. The performances of Sumit Antil and others convinced them that India could be worthy hosts.
