New Delhi
At the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi, Saudi Arabia’s Naif Almasrahi stunned spectators by setting a new world record in the men’s 100m T44 final, clocking 10.94 seconds. The event, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, also saw India’s F56 Discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya clinch silver, adding another medal to his impressive career tally.
Kathuniya, aiming for his first global gold, threw 42.49m, finishing behind Brazil’s Claudiney Batista. Despite narrowly missing gold, the 28-year-old expressed pride in winning silver on home soil. “Competing in front of my family and the home crowd was special. I focused on my process and gave my best,” he said. Coach Lakhwinder Singh noted that while the throw fell short of Kathuniya’s personal best, careful planning and execution contributed to the medal.
Other records were also broken. David Dzhatiev (Neutral Para Athlete) set a new championship record in men’s 200m T35 with 23.01 seconds. Spain’s David Jose Pineda Mejia achieved a new record in men’s 400m T20 (47.12), while Tunisia’s Yassine Gharbi claimed the men’s 400m T54 gold with a championship record of 44.96 seconds, returning to the global stage after a six-year gap.
The day highlighted remarkable performances across events, with medals in shot put, long jump, and discus. India now holds two gold, three silver, and one bronze, placing seventh on the medal table. Almasrahi’s record and Kathuniya’s home-ground triumph provided memorable moments for fans, demonstrating resilience, skill, and the growing stature of Para athletics globally.
Final Results Highlights: Men’s 100m T44 – 1. Naif Almasrahi (KSA) 10.94s WR, 2. Matheus de Lima (BRA) 10.99s, 3. Marco Cicchetti (ITA) 11.46s. Discus F56 – 1. Claudiney Batista (BRA) 45.67m, 2. Yogesh Kathuniya (IND) 42.49m.
