Yao, 44, fought hard but fell short with 12.52m; American teen Middleton claimed her first world title
New Delhi
The World Para Athletics Championships at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium witnessed a thrilling battle in the women’s Shot Put F64 on Friday. Seventeen-year-old American Arelle Middleton defeated China’s veteran champion Yao Juan to claim the gold medal, ending the Chinese athlete’s long dominance in the event.
Middleton began strongly with a 12.38m throw, but Yao quickly countered with 12.42m and later improved to 12.82m. Refusing to back down, Middleton produced a superb 12.95m throw on her fourth attempt. She followed it up with another impressive 12.93m, proving her performance was no accident.
Yao, 44, with six Paralympic golds and 10 world titles, fought hard despite fouling two attempts. On her final throw, she managed 12.52m, falling short of Middleton’s winning mark. This victory gave the American teenager her first world title after winning silver at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
The result also helped the United States climb above India in the medal standings. America now stands seventh with 4 gold, 6 silver, and 6 bronze medals, while India has slipped to eighth with 4 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze.
India still has strong hopes in women’s 100m T12, where Simran stormed into the final with a personal best of 12.08 seconds. Running alongside guide Umar Saifi, she defeated Spain’s Nagore Folgado Garcia in the semifinal.
Elsewhere, Brazil remains at the top with 12 golds, 18 silvers, and 7 bronze medals. China holds second place with 8 golds but faces pressure from Poland, where Faustyna Kotlowska set a championship record of 10.88m in women’s Shot Put F64.
