Can Catherine Debrunner's Hat-Trick of Gold Medals Inspire Others?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Catherine Debrunner achieved a historic hat-trick of gold medals.
- She set a new Championships Record in the 1500m T54 event.
- Vladimir Sviridov claimed gold in men's shot put F36 with a record throw.
- The Championships highlighted the spirit and resilience of para athletes.
- Debrunner's achievements continue to inspire future generations.
New Delhi, Oct 1 (NationPress) In an astonishing display of athletic prowess, Catherine Debrunner has made history by becoming the first competitor to secure three gold medals at the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. After triumphing in the women’s 5000m T54 and 800m T53 events, she clinched the 1500m T54 title with a record-breaking time of 3:16.81.
The reigning champion, Zhou Zhaoqian from China, found herself in second place once more, having previously been outpaced during the 800m race. As the competition progresses, she will be eager to challenge Debrunner in the upcoming 100m and 400m sprints. Yet, with four gold medals already under her belt from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Debrunner is determined to elevate her performance further.
In a gripping men's shot put F36 contest, Vladimir Sviridov (Neutral Para Athlete) stunned the crowd with a remarkable final throw of 17.01m, capturing the gold medal. Earlier in the competition, he had thrown 16.93m to take the lead from defending champion Yassine Guenichi of Tunisia, who had managed to briefly surpass him with a last-minute throw.
Guenichi led the initial rounds with throws of 16.57m and 16.74m, but after Sviridov's impressive fifth-round effort, Guenichi answered back with a 16.93m throw on his sixth attempt, hoping for a victory over the two-time Paralympic Games champion.
After a tense wait to reclaim the iron ball, the 35-year-old Sviridov celebrated with relief upon hearing the announcement of his 17.01m throw. Guenichi graciously approached him to offer congratulations.
Guenichi, who won the World Championships in Sviridov's absence in 2023 and 2024, aimed to break the Russian-born athlete's dominance in global events. Having faced defeats in previous championships, he openly commended Sviridov's unwavering determination.
Final Results:
Men
Long Jump T13: 1. Ivan Jose Cano Blanco (Spain) 7.11m; 2. Ryota Fukunaga (Japan) 7.04; 3. Vergard Dragsud Sverd (Norway) 6.88.
Shot Put F36: 1. Vladimir Sviridov (Neutral Para Athlete) 17.01m (New Championships Record. Previous: 16.83, Yassine Guenichi, Tunisia, 2023); 2. Yassine Guenichi (Tunisia) 16.93; 3. Alan Kokoity (Neutral Para Athlete) 16.86.
Women
100m T37: 1. Wen Xiaoyan (China) 12.93 seconds; 2. Taylor Swanson (USA) 13.27; 3. Viktoriia Slanova (Neutral Para Athlete) 13.79.
1500m T54: 1. Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland) 3:16.81 (New Championships Record. Previous: 3:25.23, Tatanya McFadden, USA, 2017); 2. Zhou Zhaoqian (China) 3:17.41; 3. Melaine Woods (Great Britain) 3:19.75.
Discus Throw F11: 1. Xie Enhui (China) 39.51m; 2. Assunta Legnante (Italy) 37.90; 3. Oksana Debrovolskaja (Lithuania) 37.24.
Javelin Throw F54: 1. Elham Salehi (Iran) 17.06m; 2. Alondra Salazar (Mexico) 16.83; 3. Rebeca Citlaly Cortes (Mexico) 15.48.
Javelin Throw F56: 1. Diana Krumina (Latvia) 26.18m; 2. Raissa Rocha Machado (Brazil) 23.90 (New F56 class Championships Record. Previous: 23.32, M Willing, Germany, 2002); 3. Zeinab Moradi Rashnou (Iran) 22.06; 6. Suchitra Parida (India) 18.29.