Shailesh celebrates after his triumphant jump.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
India began its medal dreams in earnest, winning a gold, silver and bronze each on the opening day of the World Para Athletics Championships here on Saturday, even as some of the biggest names in the world of para sports reiterated their domination.
High jumper Shailesh Kumar improved on his silver from the 2023 edition to not just begin India’s golden haul but also set a new championship record in the T42 category with a jump of 1.91m.
With the T42 and T63 categories competing together, Shailesh was up against the USA’s rising star and Paris Paralympic champion Ezra Frech, who finished second (1.85m). Veteran Varun Singh Bhati, returning to the world stage for the first time in eight years, won bronze (1.85m) in an amazing story of grit and comeback.
India’s Varun Singh Bhati in action
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR
The 25-year-old Shailesh, a former World Junior Para champion, had finished 4th in Paris but was unstoppable on the day, going for 1.94m, but was unable to do so. “That was the target we had been training for but I am happy with my performance. Next time,” he promised.
In the final event of the day, defending champion Deepthi Jeevanji finished second in 55.16 seconds behind Aysel Onder of Turkiye, who improved on her own world record to clock 54.51 seconds in the 400m T20 category. India had won 17 medals, including six gold, in 2024.
Brazilian Petrucio Ferreira, meanwhile, continued his dominance on the track, winning the 100m T47 in 10.66s to extend his medal tally to an incredible five World titles. Ferreira, the fastest para athlete in the world, has been unbeaten since 2016, winning consecutive Paralympic and World titles since 2016 in Rio.
Among the women, China’s world record holder Xiaoyan Wen also reaffirmed her numero uno status in the long jump T37 category, setting a new championships record with 5.32m to take gold.
The results (day one): Men: 100m T71: Artur Krzyzek (Pol, 21.19s); 100m T47: Petrucio Ferreira (Bra, 10.66s); 5000m T11: Kenya Karasawa with guides Shimizu and Horikoshi (Jpn, 15:23.38); Long jump T11: Di Dongdong (Chn, 6.92m); Shot put F37: Albert Khinchagov (NPA, 16.55m), Manu (9th, 13.43m); High jump T63: Shailesh Kumar (1.91m), Ezra Frech (USA, 1.85m), Varun Singh Bhati (1.85m).
Women: 100m T71: Thekra Alkaabi (UAE, 19.89); 400m T20: Aysel Onder (Tur, 54.51s), Deepthi Jeevanji (55.16s); Shot put F41: Mayerli Buitrago Ariza (Col, 10.21m); Shot put F36: Cheyenne Bouthoorn (Ned, 9.62m); Long jump T37: Xiaoyan Wen (Chn, 5.32m); Javelin throw F46: Noelle Roorda (Ned, 43.74m), Bhavanaben Chaudhary (8th, 35.34m).
Published – September 27, 2025 09:08 pm IST
