India’s countdown to hosting one of the most spectacular sporting events in its history picked up breathtaking momentum as the the stunning medals for the World Para Athletics Championships were unveiled.
The unveiled medals for the New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships radiate the essence of para sport, Indian heritage, and sporting excellence.
The front side of the medal features intricate motifs inspired by traditional Indian art, centering on the championship’s name and para-athletics icons: a wheelchair racer, a discus thrower, and the lotus. The other side highlights inclusivity, with Braille above the “New Delhi 2025” inscription, a lotus-inspired pattern, and bold modern geometric details. Completed with an eye-catching blue ribbon, each medal radiates culture, accessibility, and athletic achievement.
As India prepares to host the Championships for the very first time, Yogesh Kathuniya, silver medallist in Men’s Discus Throw F56, is more determined than ever. This edition offers Yogesh the home advantage and the chance to push his limits in front of his own people.
For Yogesh, this is not just another competition. His entire family will be there, cheering him on, witnessing every toss, every breath. “Competing at a World Championship on home soil is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Knowing my family will be in the stands gives me extra motivation to perform at my very best,” Yogesh said.
Yogesh enters this Championship with a clear ambition- to break his own world record. He has been training intensively, sharpening his technique, fine tuning his throws, and in this home event, he wants nothing less than his best. “My aim is to break my world record here in Delhi. I am looking forward to competing against the strong Brazilian thrower Batista dos Santos it’s a great challenge,” he added.
On the other hand, Paralympic medallist Hokato Sema aims to surpass 15m mark at the World Para Athletics Championships.
With a decorated career that already includes a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Para Games, the para shot putter is determined to raise the bar once again.
Hokato’s success has been built on steady progress. At the 2023 National Para Athletics Championships, he recorded 13.72 metres, marking a breakthrough in his career.
He followed that with a strong throw of 14.30 metres at the 2024 Asian Para Games, which earned him a well-deserved silver. His relentless persistence culminated in a 14.65-metre throw at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, securing India a bronze medal.
Next he went on to register a personal best of 14.88 metres at the Indian Open in Bengaluru, further boosting his reputation as one of the nation’s most inspiring para athletes.
Speaking about his journey and preparation, Hokato said, “After losing my leg, I used to hide my stump because I was ashamed. Now I wear shorts everywhere. If people stare, I let them. Today, I have put all that energy into my training. I spent hours every day working on strength and conditioning, fine-tuning my technique, and repeating drills until they felt perfect.”
As New Delhi prepares to host the biggest para sporting event in India’s history, Hokato is sharpening his focus at the Army Paralympic Node, BEG & Centre TB 2 Dighi camp in Pune. His training regimen includes specialized strength and conditioning, advanced technical drills, and structured recovery sessions, all designed to peak his performance on championship day.
The Indian Oil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships marks a historic step for India, hosting athletes from across the globe in a celebration of resilience, inclusivity, and sporting excellence.
