Did Sailesh Kumar Just Make History at the WPAC 2025?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Sailesh Kumar's extraordinary performance in high jump at the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships has opened India's medal tally. With a leap of 1.91m, he not only secured gold but also set a personal best, thrilling the home crowd. This marks a significant moment for Indian athletics as they aim for glory on the global stage.
Key Takeaways
- Sailesh Kumar wins gold in men's high jump T63 with a leap of 1.91m.
- He has opened India's medal account at the championships.
- Deepthi Jeevanji secures second place in women's 400 T20 with a time of 55.16 seconds.
- Indian athletes are showing impressive performances across multiple events.
- The Khelo India Scheme and TOPS play a crucial role in athlete development.
New Delhi, Sep 27 (NationPress) Sailesh Kumar has triumphed in the men’s high jump T63 final at the ongoing New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, achieving a personal best of 1.91m. This remarkable feat has marked the beginning of India's medal tally at the event held at the JLN Stadium.
After receiving his medal, he expressed, “Arriving here 10 days in advance was strategic, and winning gold before a home crowd is exhilarating. My goals were ambitious, but I am pleased with my performance and looking forward to achieving more in upcoming championships.”
Originating from Bihar, Sailesh has participated in the Khelo India scheme and is part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) core group. He has also trained at SAI NCOE Gandhinagar and Bengaluru.
India’s Varun Singh Bhati secured third place with a jump of 1.85m, while Rahul, despite achieving a personal best, narrowly missed a medal, finishing fourth.
Deepthi Jeevanji brought honor to the nation by finishing second in the final of the women’s 400 T20 category, clocking 55.16 seconds and surpassing her previous season best of 58.35 seconds. Earlier at the Paris Paralympics 2024, she earned a bronze medal with a time of 55.82 seconds.
Deepthi has been a recipient of the Khelo India Scheme since April 2025 and is also included in the TOPS core group.
Rakeshbhai Bhatt and Shreyansh Trivedi have qualified for the finals of the Men’s 100m T37 on Saturday. Rakesh finished third in the first heat of Round 1 with a personal best time of 11.62s, while Shreyansh claimed second in Heat 3, also achieving a new personal best of 11.94s.
Brazil’s Gomes de Mendonça Ricardio dominated the heats with a championship record of 11.25s. All eight qualified athletes will compete for medals in the finals on September 28, 2025.
In the Men’s Shot Put F37 finals, Indian athlete Manu finished ninth with a throw of 13.43m, short of his personal best of 14.09m. Kanchan Lakhani concluded fifth in the Women’s Discus Throw F53 finals with a throw of 9.68m, which was her season’s best but below her personal best of 10.06m.
Point of View
It is inspiring to witness Indian athletes like Sailesh Kumar shine on an international stage, particularly in a home setting. Their achievements not only enhance India's standing in para sports but also inspire countless individuals to pursue their dreams against all odds. The commitment of athletes benefiting from initiatives like Khelo India and TOPS highlights the importance of structured support in nurturing talent. We stand united in celebrating their victories and the spirit of resilience they embody.
NationPress
27/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What event did Sailesh Kumar compete in?
Sailesh Kumar competed in the men's high jump T63 final.
What was Sailesh Kumar's jump height?
He achieved a jump of 1.91 meters.
Where is the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships held?
It is being held at the JLN Stadium in New Delhi.
Who else from India competed in the high jump?
Varun Singh Bhati finished third with a jump of 1.85m.
What is the Khelo India Scheme?
The Khelo India Scheme is a government initiative to promote sports at the grassroots level in India.
