New Delhi, August 28 (HS):
India on Wednesday unveiled a 73-member squad for the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships, set to be hosted in New Delhi from September 27 to October 5 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Javelin throw ace and Paralympic champion Sumit Antil will spearhead the team.
Strikingly, three-time Paralympic medalist high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu and Tokyo and Paris Paralympic medalist Sharad Kumar have both missed out on selection.
This edition marks the first time India will host the prestigious championship, which will see participation from athletes representing as many as 107 nations, making it the biggest in history.
Mariyappan, 30, has been one of India’s most celebrated Paralympians, winning gold at Rio 2016, silver in Tokyo, and bronze in Paris. He also bagged silver at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou and gold at the 2024 World Championships in Kobe. However, he skipped this year’s national selection trials. Coaches confirmed that the jumper is currently working on technical changes and requires more time before returning to competition.
Meanwhile, Sharad Kumar has opted to concentrate on preparing for next year’s Asian Para Games in Japan, ruling himself out of contention for Delhi 2025.
Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) president and double Paralympic gold medalist Devendra Jhajharia said, “This is going to be the biggest-ever championship with athletes from 107 countries. India won 17 medals in Japan last year – this time we aim to exceed that tally and make this the most successful edition in history.”
At the opening ceremony, India’s flag bearers will be Paralympic gold medalist Dharambir Nain (club throw) alongside two-time bronze medalist sprinter Preeti Pal.
India’s 73-Member Squad for 2025 World Para Athletics Championships
Men: Ajit Singh (Javelin F45/46), Bunty (High Jump T44/64), Birbhadra Singh (Discus F57), Devendra Kumar (Discus F43/44), Dharambir (Club Throw F51), Henry (Discus F37), Manjeet (Javelin F12/13), Manu (Shot Put F37), Mohammad Yasir (Shot Put F45/46), Navdeep (Javelin F40/41), Nishad Kumar (High Jump T45/46/47), Pradeep (Discus F43/44), Pradeep (Long Jump T43/44), Parveen (Shot Put F45/46), Praveen Kumar (High Jump T44/64), Rahul (High Jump T42/63), Rampal (High Jump T45/46/47), Rinku (Javelin F45/46), Sagar (Shot Put F11), Sandeep (Javelin F42/44), Sandeep (200m T44), Sumit Antil (Javelin F61-64), Vikas (Long Jump T45/46/47), Vishu (Long Jump T12), Banothu Akira Nandan (400m T35/38), Varun Singh Bhati (High Jump T42/63), Rakeshbhai Bhatt (100m T37), Hem Chandra (Javelin F55/56/57), Dharmaraj Solairaj (Long Jump T62/64), Dilip Mahadu Gavit (400m T45/46/47), Monu Ghanghas (Shot Put/Discus F11), Mahendra Gurjar (Javelin/Long Jump T42/61/63, F42/44), Sundar Singh Gurjar (Javelin F45/46), Hokato Hotoze Sema (Shot Put F56/57), Shubham Juyal (Shot Put F56/57), Atul Kaushik (Discus F57), Sachin Sarjerao (Shot Put F45/46), Yogesh Kathuniya (Discus F54/55/56), Pradeep Kumar (Discus/Javelin F62/F64; F61/64), Parveen Kumar (Javelin F55/56/57), Pradeep Kumar (Javelin F52/53/54), Priyansh Kumar (Discus F57), Shailesh Kumar (High Jump T42/63), Meet Bharatbhai Patel (Long Jump T43/44), Soman Rana (Shot Put F56/57), Unni Renu (Long Jump T43/44), Ravi Rongali (Shot Put F40), Sandeep Sanjay Sagar (Javelin F42/44), Ajay Singh (Long Jump T45/46/47), Pushpendra Singh (Javelin F42/44), Pranav Soorma (Club Throw F51), Sagar Thayat (Discus F43/44), Shreyansh Trivedi (100m T37), Ayush Verma (Shot Put F53).
Women: Dayawanti (Shot Put/Discus F61–64; F62/F64), Karamjyoti (Discus F54/55), Pooja (Discus F54/55), Sharmila (Shot Put F55/56/57), Simran (100m, 200m T12), Ekta Bhyan (Club Throw F51), Anjanaben Rohitbhai Bumbadia (400m T45/46/47), Suresh Nimisha (Long Jump T45/46/47), Bhavana Ben Ajabaji (Javelin F45/46), Bhagyashree Madhavrao Jadhav (Shot Put F34), Kirtika Jayachandran (Shot Put F53/54), Deepti Jivanji (400m T20), Sakshi Kasana (Discus F54/55), Anandi Kulanthaisamy (Club Throw F31/32), Kanchan Lakhani (Discus F51/53), Kashish Lakra (Club Throw F51), Preeti Pal (100m, 200m T35), Suchitra Parida (Javelin F55/56), Amisha Rawat (Shot Put F45/46).
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
