New Delhi, Oct 3 (NationPress) As the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships unfold in New Delhi, comparisons with past events are inevitable. However, the Japanese team finds Delhi comparable to Kobe, albeit with a bit more heat—both literally and figuratively—as they triumphantly end their gold medal drought at WAPC 2025 on Friday.

The previous World Para Athletics Championship was hosted in Kobe, Japan, in 2024. The current edition is taking place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the Indian capital. The Japanese delegation, consisting of 61 members with 31 athletes, is in full attendance, providing a prime perspective on how the two events stack up against each other.

Ayumi Hirayama, administrative staff from NPC Japan, laughed when asked to draw comparisons. “First off, the weather is a bit different. Kobe is warm and humid, but here it’s even more humid,” she remarked.

Hirayama clarified that she isn’t complaining; she’s merely stating the facts. What about the event itself, India’s inaugural WPAC?

“The organization is commendable. The volunteers are putting in tremendous effort. They are friendly and dedicated, playing their roles excellently to ensure a successful event,” Hirayama noted.

In Kobe, Japan secured 21 medals but missed out on gold. However, this time, the Delhi edition is proving to be significantly more rewarding. On the opening day, they clinched a gold medal, thanks to long-distance runner Kenya Karasawa, who triumphed in the men’s 500m T11 event.

Just as Hirayama mentioned earlier this week about targeting more golds, another medal was added to their tally as Ryutaro Kuno earned a silver in the men’s 100m T12 sprint. Hirayama, alongside team leader Toru Suzuki, jumped up in celebration of Kuno’s achievement, exclaiming, “This is fantastic! We are thrilled for him and the team.”

What else captivated her about India? The food, of course! “The cuisine is exquisite. Yes, it’s a tad spicy, but incredibly delicious. We are truly enjoying the culinary treasures of India,” she expressed.

By Friday evening, Japan had secured three gold medals, and Hirayama was overjoyed. “When we arrived, we had set 10 objectives, including one gold. Now, we’ve achieved three. We are genuinely pleased and hope to win two more golds,” she stated. Notably, in the T52 400m wheelchair race, Japan swept all three medals, showcasing a remarkable performance.