New Delhi 2026 GP: Home stars shine to signal strong start to season

The New Delhi 2026 Grand Prix concluded with several Paralympic and regional stars returning to their home ground to stamp their dominance at the beginning of the season.

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – the venue that hosted India’s first-ever World Para Athletics Championships – successfully staged the second Grand Prix of the season.

Home stars

With a star-studded line-up in their ranks, it was the home team that stole the show in the three-day competition that featured 257 athletes (187 male and 70 female) from eight NPCs.

Once again, it was their biggest stars — two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games medallist Preeti Pal — who led the charge. Both athletes had opened their season in Dubai with gold medals.

Pal continued her momentum from Dubai to clinch two gold medals in the women’s 100m and 200m T35/T37 races.

The 25-year-old from India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh became the first Indian woman to win two medals in track and field events at the Paralympic Games when she claimed two bronze medals in the same events.

Meanwhile, Sumit maintained his dominance in the men’s javelin F64 event by winning his second consecutive gold in as many competitions. The 27-year-old had clinched gold at the Paris 2024 Paralympics with a Paralympic record of 70.59m.

The multiple-time world champion also holds the world record of 73.29m, set at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Para Games, and is looking to defend his title at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

Next stop: New Delhi 🇮🇳 for the second Grand Prix of the season! 🏁

Team India is out in full force, with a star-studded lineup ready to shine at home and keep their incredible momentum going!

Read the full preview ↪️ https://t.co/DIfLrbQWHi#ParaAthletics

— Para Athletics (@ParaAthletics) March 10, 2026

‘Goal is 75-metre throw’

“This year, my target is to get more distance. I was hoping to achieve it at last year’s World Championships but couldn’t. I will try to reach the 75-metre mark this year, which I missed last year,” said Sumit, who managed a throw of 69.25m on the second day of the New Delhi 2026 Grand Prix.

Among other Indian stars, Praveen Kumar began his 2026 season with a leap of 1.96m to win gold in the men’s high jump T44. Kumar is the Paris 2024 gold medallist in the men’s high jump T64 category.

Reigning Asian Para Games champion Dilip Mahadu Gavit raced in 10.96 seconds to win the men’s 100m T46/T47 event.

There were also several home-grown athletes who achieved success in New Delhi, adding to their Grand Prix experience as they prepare for major upcoming events.

Among the international names, two-time world champion David Dzhatiev maintained his strong run at the JLN Stadium by claiming gold in the men’s 100m T35 race.

Another top name from the nation, seasoned middle-distance runner Elena Pautova, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, completed the women’s 1500m combined class T13/T20 race in 4:55.61 for the gold medal.

Results from all three days of action can be found here.

Incredible vibes and top-tier performances... India never disappoints. Thank you, New Delhi! 🫶🇮🇳

Full results of the Grand Prix 🔗 https://t.co/UFve1PmQ8Q

📸 @PCI_IN_Official #ParaAthletics pic.twitter.com/QQHD5DtXNl

— Para Athletics (@ParaAthletics) March 14, 2026

What’s next?

Following the successful completion of the New Delhi 2026 Grand Prix, the series now moves to Rabat, Morocco for the third Grand Prix of the season, scheduled from 23 to 25 April.

The 13th season of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix features eight events, with the full calendar available here.