Key Highlights
- India secured the top spot on the medal table with 134 medals (45 gold, 40 silver, 49 bronze).
- 150 Indian para‑athletes competed across 90 events, delivering multiple podium sweeps.
- The Grand Prix became the first international para‑athletics meet hosted by India and will recur annually through 2028.
Detailed Insights
The 12th edition of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix unfolded at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, drawing participants from around the globe. Indian representatives excelled in both track and field disciplines. Notable achievements included Preethi Pal’s bronze in the women’s 200 m T35‑T38, Bhavani Munniyandi’s bronze in the mixed‑classification long jump, and a double‑podium finish for Vinay (silver) and Abhishek Jadhav (bronze) in the men’s 200 m T35.
Field events showcased India’s depth: a clean sweep in men’s shot put F11‑F20 (gold – Sagar, silver – Janka Singh, bronze – Balaji Rajendran), another sweep in women’s discus F56‑F57 (gold – Fatima, silver – Suman Bala, bronze – Asha Jalandar), and a full podium in the men’s 5000 m T11‑T12 (gold – Sharath, silver – Saurabh, bronze – Ankur). These results underscore a growing infrastructure and support system for para‑sport athletes.
World Para Athletics senior manager Martin Chorley emphasized that the New Delhi edition marks a historic milestone, launching an annual series that will continue until at least 2028, thereby providing a consistent high‑performance platform for para‑athletes worldwide.
Key Concepts
- Grand Prix Format: A season‑long circuit similar to the Diamond League, comprising multiple meets where athletes accumulate points and experience.
- Classification (e.g., T35, F11‑F20): A system that groups athletes by the type and severity of impairment to ensure fair competition.
- Podium Sweep: When athletes from the same nation win gold, silver, and bronze in a single event.