27 September,2025 09:48 AM IST | New Delhi | Jaspreet Singh
Javelin thrower Navdeep Singh; Sprinter Preethi Pal; Javelin thrower Sumit Antil; High jumper Praveen Kumar
After the usual awe associated with the overwhelming size of an athletics arena is overcome and the gaze shifts to a panoramic mode, the refurbished venue of the World Para Athletics Championships (WPAC) - the Jawaharlal Nehru [JLN] Stadium in the national capital - captures attentions for one more reason, the Mondo track.
Besides India hosting such a large scale tournament with over 2200 athletes and officials from 104 nations competing across 186 medal events, the light blue carpet-type surface of the Mondo track - replacing the customary red tartan track - has made a lot of news. But that's just one aspect of the Rs 100 crore-plus that the central government has spent in redoing the JLN Stadium, marking the event as one of its top priorities to enhance the country's sporting resume.
"This World Para Athletics Championships is the biggest sports event hosted by India to date in terms of the number of countries participating," said legendary former para-athlete Devendra Jhajharia, who is the president of the Paralympic Committee of India. India's contingent of 73 athletes, which includes 54 men and 19 women, is not only the country's largest ever in the tournament, but is also full of star-studded names led by Sumit Antil - the world record-holder javelin thrower (F64) and gold medallist from the last two Paralympics and World Para Athletics Championships. India registered its best medal haul (17) at the World Para Athletics Championships in the last edition held in Kobe, Japan, in 2024. With six gold medals, five silver and six bronze, India finished sixthth on the medals tally. "You will see many Championship records getting broken this time," said Jhajharia, highlighting the Mondo track, which is known to provide more grip and shock absorption.
"India won 17 medals last time. So I will say, ab ki baar bees paar [we will cross 20 this time]."
The Opening Ceremony of the Championships was held on Thursday, with the competition beginning on Saturday. The tournament will conclude on October 5.
Besides Sumit Antil, India's other gold medallist from the Paris Paralympics will also be seen in action - namely, Dharambir Nain [men's club throw - F51], Praveen
Kumar [men's high jump - T64], Navdeep Singh [men's javelin throw - F41].
Preethi Pal, who won two bronze medals in Paris [100m & 200m - T35], will lead the women's brigade, besides Simran Sharma, who won the 200m T35 gold in the last World Para Athletics Championships and a bronze at the Paris Paralympics. Another name to watch out for is Mahendra Gurjar, who has set a world record in the men's javelin throw [F42]. The multi-faceted athlete is also listed to feature in the men's long jump [T63] and men's javelin [F44]. Meanwhile, 35 of the 73 Indian athletes will make their World Para Athletics debut in Delhi. The honour of carrying the Indian flag has been given to Preethi and Dharambir.
"These debutants could be the chhupa rustoms [surprise packages] for us," said Jhajharia with a smile.
Among the international athletes on the must-watch list are the legendary Catherin Debrunner (Switzerland) in wheelchair racing; Magdalena Andruszkiewicz (Poland) in frame running; Ezra Frech (USA) in T63 high jump, long jump and 100m; Petrucio Ferreira of Brazil in 100m (T47); and Hunter Woodhall of the USA in 400m (T62).
73
No. of athletes in the Indian contingent
54
No. of male athletes in the Indian contingent
19
No. of female athletes in the Indian contingent
31
No. of athletes from Haryana in the Indian contingent
35
No. of Indian athletes who will be making their WPAC debut in Delhi
