India dominated the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, winning 134 medals including 45 golds. Notable performances included Vanessa Low’s gold in the T61-64 long jump and Preethi Pal’s bronze in the T35-38 200m. The Grand Prix will continue annually in India through 2028, enhancing the nation’s standing in para athletics.
India achieved a remarkable success at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, topping the medal tally with a total of 134 medals: 45 gold, 40 silver, and 49 bronze. Approximately 150 Indian athletes competed against nearly 100 athletes from 19 other nations during the event. Australian Paralympic champion Vanessa Low won gold in the T61-64 long jump category by achieving a distance of 4.96m, while India’s Preethi Pal earned a bronze in the T35-38 women’s 200m race, complementing her earlier silver medal in the 100m run.
Preethi Pal’s performance in the women’s T35-38 classification, which includes athletes with coordination impairments, was commendable as she clocked 31.50 seconds for her bronze win. Preethi made history at the 2024 Paris Paralympics by becoming the first Indian woman track and field athlete to win two medals in the same event. She expressed her determination to secure gold at the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships in September.
India swept the podium in the men’s shot put F11–F20 category, with Sagar winning gold (11.47m), Janka Singh taking silver (9.91m), and Balaji Rajendran completing the medal standings with bronze (9.89m). In the women’s long jump T20–T37 event, Irina Sapanzha won gold (5.35m), followed by silver medalist Valentina (5.16m) and India’s Bhuvi Agarwal who took bronze (4.16m).
The men’s shot put F40–F41 event was won by Denise Gnezdilov (gold), with Aiaal Sivtsev taking silver, while India’s Ravi Rangoli secured bronze. Additionally, Dmitrii Safronov (Neutral Paralympic Athlete) won gold in the men’s 200m T35 event, with India’s Vinay and Abhishek Babasaheb Jadhav winning silver and bronze respectively. The event showcased exceptional talent with a clean medal sweep by neutral athletes in the men’s 200m T37 category.
In conclusion, India displayed outstanding performance at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, securing the highest medal count and showcasing the talent of athletes like Preethi Pal and the legendary Vanessa Low. The event not only highlighted India’s prowess but also indicated the potential for future success at upcoming championships. With the commitment to host the Grand Prix annually until 2028, India’s position in para athletics is set to strengthen further.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
