The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 promises three days of intense competition and global camaraderie as top athletes come together to push the limits of human spirit.
The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 officially commenced at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. With the event open to all, the opening ceremony drew an enthusiastic crowd, garnering applause from athletes, dignitaries, and spectators alike.
Over the next three days, 280 athletes from 20 countries will compete in 98 events, with a strong representation of 195 men and 85 women, making this one of the most eagerly anticipated competitions on the para-athletics calendar.
The Opening Ceremony
The event was inaugurated by Sujata Chaturvedi, Secretary of Sports, Government of India. Speaking at the event, she praised the Grand Prix as a milestone for para-athletes and a sign of India’s growing commitment to para sports, with preparations already underway for the 2036 Summer Games. She emphasized the event’s role in providing vital exposure ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships later this year.
The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 was attended by distinguished figures such as Lt Gen NSR Subramani, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Shri Devendra Jhajharia, President of the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), Mr. Martin Chorley, Competition Head of World Para Athletics, and several other notable leaders.
Devendra Jhajharia celebrated the Grand Prix as a testament to courage and excellence, reaffirming PCI’s mission to promote para sports at all levels.
The opening ceremony featured mesmerizing cultural performances by the Indian Army, including the traditional Kukri dance and Kalaripayattu, which captivated the audience and athletes, adding to the grandeur of this unforgettable occasion.
Martin Chorley, Senior Manager, World Para Athletics, expressed excitement for India’s first-ever Grand Prix, noting its significance in preparing athletes for the World Championships.
India’s Remarkable Impact
The opening day of action at the Grand Prix was a thrilling showcase of athletic excellence, with India making a remarkable impact across multiple events.
The Men’s Discus Throw F11 saw a clean sweep by Indian athletes, with Sagar securing gold at 34.84 meters, followed by Balaji Rajendran’s silver and Janak Singh Harsana’s bronze.
In the Women’s 100 meters, Preeti Pal earned silver with an impressive 14.85 seconds, while India continued to shine with strong performances in the Men’s 100 meters across multiple categories.
Vishu clinched silver in the T11/T12 event, and Pragadeeshwara Raja Moorthy added a bronze, while Meet Hareshkumar Tadhani earned bronze in the T13 category. India’s dominance was further highlighted in the Men’s 100 meters T44 event, with Mit Bharatbha Patel taking gold and Ababil Ali claiming silver.
The Men’s High Jump T47 was another event where India swept all three medals, with Ram Pal taking gold. Further victories followed in the Women’s 100 meters T54, where Kiran Shriram Metkar bagged gold, and the Men’s Discus Throw F37, where Haney secured bronze.
With these performances, India continues to lead the charge in para-athletics, embodying the spirit of resilience and inspiring athletes worldwide.
Mr. Majid Rashed commended the collaborative efforts in organizing a world-class event and expressed confidence in New Delhi’s ability to host an outstanding World Para Athletics Championships later this year.
As these inspiring competitors push the limits of human spirit and sporting excellence, the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 promises to be a celebration of both fierce rivalry and global camaraderie.
