Nishad Kumar Sets Asian Record; Simran Claims 100m Gold in Delhi

In a stunning display of athletic prowess, Nishad Kumar and Simran brought home gold medals for India at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships on October 3. Their victories in the men’s high jump T47 and women’s 100m T12 events, respectively, captivated the home crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi and significantly boosted India’s position in the medal standings.

Thanks to these two gold medals, India surged from 11th to 4th place in the overall medal table. As of now, India has secured a total of 6 gold, 5 silver, and 4 bronze medals, while Brazil continues to dominate with 12 gold, 18 silver, and 7 bronze medals, followed by China with 9 gold, 16 silver, and 13 bronze. Poland holds the third position with 8 gold, 2 silver, and 5 bronze.

Record-Setting Performances

Nishad Kumar showcased remarkable composure throughout his event, ultimately clinching the gold against formidable competitors, including Abdulla Ilgaz from Turkiye and three-time defending champion Roderick Townsend from the USA. He set a new Asian Record by successfully clearing a height of 2.14 meters, after surpassing the European mark set by Ilgaz at 2.08 meters. Notably, Kumar did not miss a single jump until the bar was raised to a world record height of 2.18 meters, demonstrating his exceptional skills.

In a thrilling 100m T12 final, Simran, aided by her guide Umar Saifi, achieved a personal best time of 11.95 seconds, breaking the 12-second barrier for the first time. Earlier in the day, she had clocked 12.08 seconds in the semifinals. Despite feeling nervous, she delivered a confident performance in the final, crossing the finish line ahead of Liang Yanfen from China and Nagore Falgado Garcia from Spain, who both finished with a time of 12.11 seconds.

Acknowledging Other Champions

While Kumar and Simran undoubtedly stole the spotlight, they graciously acknowledged the achievements of their peers. Catherine Debrunner from Switzerland swept the women’s T53 events, winning an impressive five gold medals, including a championship record time of 50.58 seconds in the 400m T53 final. Pongsakorn Paeyo from Thailand also shined, securing his third gold medal by winning the men’s 800m T53.

Other notable performances included Danielle Aitchison, who set a new world record in the women’s 200m T35 final, and Annie Carey from the USA, who achieved a new world record in the women’s long jump T44.

The final results for several key events are as follows:

Men’s 100m T11: 1. Athanosis Ghavelas (Greece) 10.96 seconds; 2. Ananias Shikongo (Namibia) 11.00; 3. Di Dongdong (China) 11.11.

Women’s 100m T12: 1. Simran (India) 11.95 seconds; 2. Liang Yanfen (China) 12.11; 3. Nagore Falgado Garcia (Spain) 12.11.

The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships continue to witness extraordinary talent and fierce competition, showcasing the spirit of perseverance among athletes from around the globe.