New Delhi, September 30 — When Denis Gnezdilov stepped into the shotput circle at the IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, he carried more than the weight of a metal sphere. He brought with him the sting of Paris, the frustration of missed chances, and a fierce determination to prove that failure can be the start of something greater.
Just a year ago, the Rustavi-born thrower faced one of the lowest points of his decorated career — missing the podium at the Paris Paralympics. For a Paralympic gold medallist from Tokyo 2020, the result was a crushing blow. But Gnezdilov isn’t the kind of athlete who lets setbacks define him.
Instead, Paris became his turning point.
“I feel free. In Paris, I made mistakes. I learned from them, corrected them, and now we move forward,” Gnezdilov said, moments after claiming gold in New Delhi.
“The results will keep growing, because after Paris, I changed all the equipment and everything else.”
That commitment to change was evident in every throw he delivered on Monday morning.
His opener of 10.66m was only a warm-up. By the third round, Gnezdilov had already shattered Paralympic champion Miguel Monteiro’s world record, launching the shotput to an astounding 11.85m.
Then, in a spectacular finale, he threw 11.92m on his final attempt — a distance so dominant that every throw after his first would have been enough for gold.
With this, the 38-year-old didn’t just win — he redefined the limits of his sport.
A Technical Reinvention
What made this performance even more remarkable was the technical overhaul Gnezdilov undertook after Paris. Once a practitioner of the traditional stride technique, he unveiled a completely new approach in Delhi — shifting to the rotational style, a method known for its complexity but also its explosive potential.
“I corrected it completely. In Paris, I used the stride. Now, I’ve changed to the rotation,” he explained.
That single change mirrors his entire journey — a bold decision to start over, to evolve, and to rise stronger than before.
A Champion Reborn
At an age when many athletes begin to wind down, Denis Gnezdilov is only accelerating. With two world records in a single competition and a third World Championship title, he’s not just back on top — he’s ruling the world.
His story is no longer just about medals. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit of excellence — a message that transcends sport and speaks to anyone who’s ever faced failure and dared to begin again.
