Indian Paralympic medallists to watch at the World Para Athletics Championships

More than 70 athletes are set to represent India when the country hosts its first-ever World Para Athletics Championships at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. New Delhi 2025, held from 27 September to 5 October, will be the biggest Para sport competition ever staged in India.

India captured 84 medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, including 17 in Para athletics. Since making their Paralympic debut at Tel Aviv 1968, Indian athletes have earned eight gold medals in the sport.

At the Kobe 2024 World Para Athletics Championships, Indian athletes bagged 17 medals and they are aiming to make New Delhi 2025 their most successful World Championships yet.

With this historic event approaching, get to know the Paris 2024 Paralympic champions and a multi-medallist who are ready to wow the home crowd in the Indian capital.

Sumit

Sumit is one of India’s biggest stars in Para athletics, having won back-to-back Paralympic gold medals in the men’s javelin F64. His breakthrough came at Tokyo 2020, where he shattered the world record three times in the final en route to claiming his maiden gold medal.

He hasn’t stopped since. He topped the podium at Paris 2024 with a throw of 70.59 metres. He holds the world record of 73.29 metres, set at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games in October 2023.

Sumit, who lost his left leg in a road accident in 2015, discovered javelin throwing in 2017. “I’ve taken so many decisions in the gap between 2015 and 2017. But the best decision was to join Para sport,” he has said. The two-time Paralympic champion is ready to take the spotlight once again — this time at the first World Championships on home soil. 

Preeti Pal

Preeti Pal shot to stardom at Paris 2024 and was selected as India’s flagbearer for the Closing Ceremony, alongside Para archery champion Harvinder Singh. She will carry India’s flag once again, this time at the Opening Ceremony of New Delhi 2025.

Pal became the star of the Indian delegation in Paris, becoming the only athlete to win multiple medals in Para athletics. She claimed bronze in the women’s 100m and 200m T35 on her Paralympic debut.

The double bronze medallist from the Kobe 2024 World Championships is aiming to upgrade her medals in New Delhi.

Praveen Kumar

Praveen Kumar won gold in the men’s high jump T64 with a jump of 2.08 metres, three years after claiming silver at Tokyo 2020. New Delhi 2025 will be his fourth World Championships; he earned bronze at Paris 2023.

Kumar says Para sport is the “best opportunity” for people with disabilities. Competing in front of a crowd motivates him and boosts his self-confidence. What will he achieve in front of a roaring home crowd?

Dharambir

Dharambir captured his maiden Paralympic gold at Paris 2024 in the men’s club throw F51. Competing at his third Games, he threw 34.92 metres, finishing 0.33 ahead of countryman Pranav Soorma. Bronze medallist Zeljko Dimitrijevic also shared the podium in Paris.

At New Delhi 2025, the two Indian athletes are set to face off again. Dharambir has also been named flagbearer for the home delegation.

Navdeep

Navdeep missed out on the podium on his Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020, finishing fourth in the men’s javelin F41. But he came back stronger at Paris 2024, winning gold and helping India achieve its most successful Paralympic Games.

“I am feeling very happy to have won one more medal for my country,” he said on Instagram after the Games. “A lot of people have supported me in this journey. I want to thank everyone for their support.”

Having finished third at the Kobe 2024 World Championships, Navdeep is chasing his first World Championship gold in the Indian capital.

Discover more about Para athletics and follow the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.