New Delhi, Oct 3 (NationPress) Young American Arelle Middleton has dethroned the renowned Chinese competitor Yao Juan to seize the gold medal in the women’s Shot Put F64 event at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday.

The rivalry between these two athletes was palpable, with the 17-year-old Middleton quickly establishing her presence by launching a throw of 12.38m in the initial round. In response, the seasoned Chinese athlete countered with a 12.42m throw and later increased her lead with a 12.82m attempt.

Middleton, who previously secured the F64 silver medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, was determined not to back down. She unleashed a remarkable throw of 12.95m on her fourth attempt, solidifying her performance as more than just a fluke.

Yao Juan, a formidable figure in the sport with an impressive record of six Paralympic Games gold medals and ten World Championships titles, struggled initially with two fouls. On her final throw, she managed a 12.52m, which ultimately fell short of clinching the gold.

This victory propelled the United States ahead of India in the medal standings, as they now hold 4 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze medals, moving them to seventh place, while India remains at eighth with 4 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

India's hopes for a fifth gold now rest on Simran, who advanced to the women’s 100m T12 final with a personal best time of 12.08 seconds, expertly channeling her nerves to overcome a strong challenge from Spain’s Nagore Folgado Garcia.

Meanwhile, Brazil retains the top spot in the medal table with 12 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze, while China faces tough competition from Poland, both countries having secured 8 gold medals, with Poland's Faustyna Kotlowska breaking records in the women’s Shot Put F64.