New Delhi, Oct 2 (NationPress) Dharambir emerged as India's top medalist at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday, clinching a silver in the men’s club throw F51, one of the most challenging categories in para sports due to “impaired muscle power.”

The 36-year-old, who secured gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, achieved his best throw of 29.71 meters during his sixth and final attempt, earning him the silver medal.

“I am pleased with my performance. Standing on the podium at home is truly special. While gold would have been ideal, I am still proud,” said Dharambir, who was adorned in the Indian tri-color.

He expressed that the championships will significantly contribute to the nation's progress. “We have organized this event exceptionally well. It will serve as a great motivation for us. We are in the running to host the Paralympic Games, which is an excellent initiative from the government and the federation, promising numerous benefits,” he remarked.

Amit Saroha, Dharambir’s coach, was confident about securing a medal. They trained together at SAI Sonepat leading up to the championships. He had anticipated that Pranav Soorma would also earn a medal, but despite achieving his season-best of 28.19 meters, he finished fifth. Saroha himself could not compete due to a fracture sustained weeks prior to the event.

The evening events faced a brief suspension due to rain and lightning, which previously affected the bronze medalist at last year’s Kobe World Para Athletics Championships. “The rain impacted grip, but I remain happy. We could have won two medals if Pranav had performed better, but our competitors were impressive,” he stated.

Saroha noted, “Most athletes achieved their best scores on their initial attempts. Once the club became wet, grip issues arose, significantly lowering scores. However, our training in various weather conditions, including rain, has proven beneficial.”

Atul Kaushik secured another medal for India, winning bronze in the men’s discus throw F57 with a throw of 45.61 meters. “I am thrilled with my performance. This is my first time competing in such a significant event. Being a local, I train and reside near JNL. The rain affected all athletes, but it was manageable,” he commented.