Nishad Kumar Nails Asian Record in Gold-Winning Effort; Simran Storms to 100m Victory at New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships
New Delhi, October 3 – Roars of celebration echoed through the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as India’s Nishad Kumar and Simran clinched gold medals within minutes of each other at the IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships on Friday. Their stellar performances in the Men’s High Jump T47 and Women’s 100m T12 events respectively electrified the home crowd and marked a historic leap for India in the medal standings.
Thanks to their golden double, India surged from 11th to 4th place on the overall medal table. Earlier in the day, Preeti Pal secured bronze in the Women’s 200m T36, and Pardeep Kumar added another bronze in the Men’s Discus Throw F64. India’s medal tally now stands at 15 – comprising 6 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals.
Nishad Soars to Victory with Asian Record
In an intense Men’s High Jump T47 final, Nishad Kumar delivered under pressure, outclassing Turkiye’s Abdulla Ilgaz and three-time defending champion Roderick Townsend (USA). Nishad remained flawless until he set the bar at 2.18m, surpassing the Asian Record after Ilgaz had earlier broken the European mark at 2.08m.
Notably, Townsend, the world record holder, bowed out at 2.03m, unable to match the Indian star’s rhythm. Nishad strategically passed at 2.12m to mount pressure on Ilgaz, eventually securing a thrilling win at 2.14m – sealing both gold and the Asian Record in one remarkable leap.
Raoua Tlili from Tunisia won Bronze in F41 shot put and Gold in Discus Throw
Simran Breaks 12-Second Barrier in 100m Sprint
Meanwhile, Simran, teaming with guide Umar Saifi, delivered a lightning-fast performance in the Women’s 100m T12, clocking a personal best of 11.95 seconds in the final. Earlier in the day, she had posted 12.08 in the semifinals, but her final burst saw her break the 12-second barrier for the first time.
Admitting to pre-race nerves, the 25-year-old sprinter stunned the competition with her confidence and explosive pace, edging out China’s Liang Yanfen and Spain’s Nagore Falgado Garcia, both tied at 12.11 seconds.
International Stars Shine Bright
While Nishad and Simran drew the spotlight for India, global para-athletic excellence was on full display:
- Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland) emerged as the queen of the women’s T53 and T54 events, sweeping five gold medals and setting a Championships Record in the 400m T53 (50.58s).
- Thailand’s Pongsakorn Paeyo clinched his third gold of the meet, winning the Men’s 800m T53 with a Championships Record of 1:35.76.
- Danielle Aitchison (New Zealand) broke the World Record in the Women’s 200m T35, clocking 27.19 seconds.
- American athlete Annie Carey set a new World Record in the Women’s Long Jump T44 with a jump of 5.20m.
Medal Standings Update
With a dominant showing, Brazil continues to lead the medal tally with 12 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze. China follows in second place with 9 gold, 16 silver, and 13 bronze, while Poland holds third with 8 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze.
India now proudly sits in fourth place, with momentum clearly on their side as the championship enters its final stages.
Select Final Results – October 3
Men’s Finals
- High Jump T47:
🥇 Nishad Kumar (India) – 2.14m (Asian Record)
🥈 Abdulla Ilgaz (Turkiye) – 2.08m
🥉 Roderick Townsend (USA) – 2.03m - 100m T11:
🥇 Athanosis Ghavelas (Greece) – 10.96s
🥈 Ananias Shikongo (Namibia) – 11.00s
🥉 Di Dongdong (China) – 11.11s - 800m T53:
🥇 Pongsakorn Paeyo (Thailand) – 1:35.76 (Championships Record)
🥈 Mohamed Nidhal Khelifi (Tunisia) – 1:37.15
🥉 Vitalii Gritsenko (NPA) – 1:37.52
Women’s Finals
- 100m T12:
🥇 Simran (India) – 11.95s (Personal Best)
🥈 Liang Yanfen (China) – 12.11s
🥉 Nagore Falgado Garcia (Spain) – 12.11s - 200m T35:
🥇 Danielle Aitchison (New Zealand) – 27.19s (World Record) - 200m T36:
🥇 Guo Qianqian (China) – 29.50s
🥈 Fatimah Suwaed (Iraq) – 30.00s
🥉 Preeti Pal (India) – 30.03s - Long Jump T64:
🥇 Fleur Jong (Netherlands) – 6.81m (Championships Record)
🥉 Annie Carey (USA) – 5.20m (T44 World Record)
Stay tuned as more Indian athletes prepare to compete, with hopes of further podium finishes and new records at the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.
