World Para Athletics Grand Prix: India Dominates Men’s Discus Throw F11; Preeti Pal Shines in 100m
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Synopsis
The World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 commenced in New Delhi with India achieving a clean sweep in men's discus throw F11 and Preeti Pal winning silver in the women's 100m. The event showcases athletic excellence and inclusivity, featuring 280 athletes from 20 countries competing in various events.
Key Takeaways
- India dominated the men's discus throw F11 event.
- Preeti Pal secured silver in the women's 100m.
- 280 athletes from 20 countries participated.
- Strong performances from Indian athletes across multiple categories.
- The event promotes athletic excellence and inclusivity.
New Delhi, March 11 (IANS) The hosts, India, kicked off their participation in the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2025 with an impressive performance, achieving a clean sweep in the men's discus throw F11 and securing a silver medal by Preeti Pal as the event officially commenced at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on Tuesday. This occasion marked a grand celebration of athletic excellence, inclusivity, and global unity, with an enthusiastic turnout during the opening ceremony, where the event was open to all, receiving applause from athletes, dignitaries, and spectators alike.
A total of 280 athletes from 20 countries have converged to compete in 98 events over the next three days. Among them, there are 195 male and 85 female athletes, making this edition one of the most awaited competitions on the global para-athletics calendar.
The first day of competition showcased a series of extraordinary performances across track and field events, emphasizing both international talent and strong home-ground dominance by Indian athletes.
India excelled in the Men’s Discus Throw F11 event, where Sagar clinched gold with a throw of 34.84 meters, followed by Balaji Rajendran, who secured silver with 26.98 meters, and Janak Singh Harsana who bagged bronze with a mark of 25.13 meters.
In the Women’s 100 meters across T35, T36, T38, and T44 classifications, Australia’s Rhiannon Clarke emerged victorious, clocking 13.14 seconds. India’s Preeti Pal impressed with a silver in 14.85 seconds, while Germany’s Nicole secured bronze at 15.35 seconds.
Brazil’s Joeferson Marinho de Oliveira dominated the Men’s 100 meters T11 and T12 categories with a stellar timing of 11.17 seconds. India’s Vishu claimed silver, while Pragadeeshwara Raja Moorthy added to India’s tally with a bronze. The Men’s 100-meter T13 event saw Botswana’s Bose Mokgwathi take gold with 11.55 seconds, narrowly edging out compatriot Edwin Masuge, who earned silver with 11.57 seconds. India’s Meet Hareshkumar Tadhani took the bronze, finishing in 11.63 seconds.
In the Men’s 100 meters T35, Dmitrii Safronov, competing as a Neutral Para Athlete, secured gold in 12.08 seconds. India’s Abhishek Babasaheb Jadhav won silver with 13.76 seconds, while Vinay claimed bronze in 14.47 seconds.
Raha Al Harrasi of Oman won gold in the Men’s 100 meters T36 with a timing of 12.53 seconds, while Mikhail Kukus and Kirill Glazyrin clinched silver and bronze, respectively.
India showcased its dominance in the Men’s 100 meters T44 category, where Mit Bharatbha Patel sprinted to gold with 12.67 seconds. Ababil Ali followed closely with silver in 13.81 seconds, and Malaysia’s Ivan Jovic Suan secured bronze with 13.84 seconds.
In the combined Men’s 100 meters T63 and T64 categories, Petr Mikhalkov, also representing Neutral Para Athletes, stormed to gold in 11.56 seconds. Japan’s Yuma Tamkai earned silver with 11.66 seconds, while India’s Pranav Prashant Desai captured bronze in 11.75 seconds.
Uzbekistan’s Kudratillokhon Marufkhujaev led the Men’s Discus Throw F37 event, winning gold with a throw of 47.97 meters. Japan’s Yamato Shimbo claimed silver with 47.94 meters, while India’s Haney secured bronze with 45.78 meters.
India dominated the Men’s High Jump T47 event, sweeping all three medals. Ram Pal led the charge with a gold-winning leap of 1.83 meters, followed by Chandresh Muljibhai Bagada with silver and Banti with bronze.
In the Women’s 100 meters T47, Anastasiia Soloveva sprinted to gold in 12.55 seconds, while Sri Lanka’s Janani Wickramasingha secured silver with 13.25 seconds. India’s Jayanti Behera rounded off the podium with a bronze in 13.62 seconds.
India’s Kiran Shriram Metkar delivered a strong performance in the Women’s 100 meters T54 category, clinching gold with a time of 22.9 seconds.
As the Grand Prix progresses, these performances serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of para-athletes from around the world, who continue to push boundaries and inspire through their remarkable displays of skill and perseverance.
