Did Records Fall on the Opening Day of WPAC 2025 as China Dominates?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- China finished Day 1 on top of the medals table.
- 11 finals were held with 33 athletes on the podium.
- Shailesh Kumar won India's first gold in the men's high jump T63.
- Multiple World Records and Championship Records were set.
- India showcased exceptional talent alongside other nations.
New Delhi, Sep 27 (NationPress) The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships kicked off with an exhilarating display of athletic prowess, as numerous World Records and Championship Marks were shattered. China emerged as the leader in the medal standings, securing four medals at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
On Saturday, 11 finals took place, with a total of 33 athletes claiming podium spots. China’s medal tally included two gold and two silver medals. The host nation, India, concluded Day 1 with three medals, shining through with a gold from high jumper Shailesh Kumar in the men's high jump T63 event.
In the men's long jump T11 final, China's DI Dongdong broke his own World Record, surpassing his previous mark of 6.85m set at last year’s Paralympics in Paris, by achieving an impressive 6.92m on his fourth attempt.
Meanwhile, in the women’s 400m T20 final, India’s Deepthi Jeevanji earned a silver medal, while Turkey's Aysel Onder clinched gold with a record-breaking time of 54.51 seconds. Ukraine’s Julian Shuliar secured third place with her season's best of 56.29.
In the men's 100m T38 event, Ryan Medrano from the USA set a new Championship record with a time of 10.83 seconds, breaking the previous record of 10.93 seconds held by Australian sprinter Evan O'Hanlon since 2013.
India's Sailesh Kumar captured gold in the men's high jump T63 final with a personal best of 1.91 metres. USA's Ezra Frech took silver, and India's Varun Singh Bhati earned bronze with a jump of 1.85m.
Additionally, world record holder Jaydin Blackwell advanced to the finals with a remarkable 10.92 seconds.
In the men's 100m T37 event, Ricardo Gomes de Mendonca from Brazil set a Championship record with a time of 11.25 seconds. India’s Rakeshbhai Bhatt (11.62) and Shreyansh Trivedi (11.94) also qualified for the final, scheduled for Sunday.
The men's 100m T12 semifinal witnessed Norway's Salum Ageze Kashafali equaling his world record of 10.43 seconds. Japan’s Ryutaro Kumo also matched the Asian record, progressing to the final.
In the men's shot put F37 final, Albert Khinchagov, competing as a Neutral Para Athlete (NPA), set a Championship Record with a throw of 16.55m to win gold. Another NPA, Aleksandr Belobokov, took silver with a season-best throw of 16.16m, while Tolibboy Yuldashev secured bronze.
The men's 100m T47 final was fiercely competitive, with Brazil’s Petrucio Ferreira taking gold with a time of 10.66 seconds. Shi Kangjun from China won silver with a personal best of 10.68, and Morocco’s Aymane Al Haddaoui finished with bronze at 10.70.