New Delhi [India], September 27 (ANI): Following his gold medal win on the World Para Athletics C’ships, Indian para high-jump athlete Shailesh Kumar mentioned that he goals to interrupt the world report of 1.96 m and has subsequent yr’s Asian Para Games and Los Angeles Paralympics of 2028 in his thoughts.
Shailesh secured Team India’s first gold medal on the ongoing World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi on Saturday within the T63 excessive leap competitors. Shailesh secured the perfect leap of 1.91 m, securing not solely the gold medal but additionally setting a championship report, as per ESPN. The podium was accomplished by the USA’s Paralympic champion Ezra Frech (1.85 m). India’s Varun Singh Bhatti jumped 1.85 m as effectively and obtained the bronze medal.
Speaking to the media, Shailesh mentioned that the gang’s assist was nice, however the humidity in Delhi was very excessive.
‘I used to be coaching in Bengaluru, it was chilly there and coming right here every week earlier than the occasion gave me a bonus. We obtained quite a lot of assist from the house floor. I need to thank the Indian authorities for supporting Para Sports a lot. I want to thank SAI (Sports Authority of India), TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme), which supported me a lot that I may win a medal for India,’ mentioned the athlete.
Speaking on his plans, the athlete added, ‘I might be higher ready for the Asian Games; the principle focus is LA 2028 Olympics. I might plan with my coach whether or not to coach right here or outdoors. My goal is to interrupt the world report of 1.96m. It is a big matter of pleasure for me to win the gold in my house floor.’
Varun, who took house the bronze, mentioned that this can be a comeback after profitable a silver within the Asian Para Games.
‘This is my comeback after a few years. I gained my final medal within the 2018 Asian Games and after so lengthy, I’ve managed to comeback in a serious competitors. I’m a nationwide champion and gained a Khelo India silver, however I fulfilled my want to achieve an enormous match right here,’ mentioned Varun.
He additionally spoke on his friendship with Shailesh, saying that they’re each good pals on and off the sector and maintain motivating one another and mentioning one another’s errors.
‘We have performed in nationals and Khelo India occasions collectively. We are good pals each on and off the sector. We maintain motivating one another, mentioning one another’s errors. He gained a Khelo India gold medal, I gained a nationals gold. I’m completely satisfied that the gold medal got here house. I used to be nice over the bar and approach was good,’ he added.
Varun, enjoying his fourth World Championships, known as the expertise because the ‘greatest world championship he has ever performed’.
India’s Paralympic bronze medalist from final yr and world champion from the 2024 Kobe World C’ships, Deepthi Jeevanji, didn’t defend her title within the girls’s 400 m T20 class, ending with a silver medal with timing of 55.16 seconds.
Deepthi additionally mentioned to the media, ‘This is my second World C’ship. I’m pleased with my efficiency. Thank you to all supporters and the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI).’
So far, India has gained three medals on the competitors, one gold, silver and bronze every.
New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships exploded into motion on its opening day with a flurry of damaged world information and new championship marks.
A complete of 11 finals have been contested, with 33 athletes reaching the rostrum. China completed the day atop the medal tally with 4 medals, together with two gold and two silvers. Host nation India ended Day 1 with three medals, highlighted by a gold from excessive jumper Shailesh Kumar within the males’s excessive leap T63 occasion.
DI Dongdong of China smashed his personal world report within the males’s lengthy leap T11 ultimate on the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. He improved upon his earlier world report of 6.85m, which he set eventually yr’s Paralympic Games in Paris, by clocking a powerful 6.92m on his fourth try.
In the ladies’s 400m T20 ultimate, India’s Deepthi Jeevanji secured the silver medal. The gold went to Turkey’s Aysel Onder, who set a brand new world report with a blazing time of 54.51 seconds. Julian Shuliar of Ukraine completed third along with her season’s greatest mark of 56.29.
The males’s 100m T38 occasion noticed Ryan Medrano of the USA set a brand new Championship report with a time of 10.83 seconds. He eclipsed the earlier report of 10.93 seconds, set by Australian sprinter Evan O’Hanlon in Lyon in 2013.
Elsewhere, world report holder Jaydin Blackwell certified for the finals with a powerful 10.92 seconds.
In the lads’s 100m T37 occasion, Ricardo Gomes de Mendonca of Brazil set a Championship report with a swift time of 11.25 seconds. India’s Rakeshbhai Bhatt (11.62) and Shreyansh Trivedi (11.94) additionally certified for the finals scheduled for Sunday.
The males’s 100m T12 semifinal noticed Norway’s Salum Ageze Kashafali equal his personal world report of 10.43 seconds. Ryutaro Kumo of Japan additionally equalled the Asian report and progressed to the finals.
In the lads’s shot put F37 ultimate, Albert Khinchagov, taking part as a Neutral Para Athlete (NPA), created a Championship report with a 16.55m throw to clinch the gold. Another NPA, Aleksandr Belobokov, secured the silver with a season-best throw of 16.16m, whereas Tolibboy Yuldashev settled for the bronze medal.
The males’s 100m T47 ultimate was a good contest, with Brazil’s Petrucio Ferreira profitable gold with a ten.66 second mark. China’s Shi Kangjun secured silver with a private better of 10.68, and Morocco’s Aymane Al Haddaoui claimed the bronze with a ten.70 end. (ANI)