National Current Affairs
India Tops World Para Athletics Grand Prix with Record 208 Medals
- 18 Mar 2026
- 3 min read
Why in News?
India delivered a historic performance at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, finishing at the top of the medal tally with a record 208 medals. The achievement highlights India’s growing strength in para-sports and its commitment to inclusivity in athletics.
Key Points:
- Host: The Grand Prix was hosted in New Delhi, India.
- Participation: Athletes from multiple countries participated under the aegis of World Para Athletics, a body governed by the International Paralympic Committee.
- Final Medal Tally: India finished with 75 Gold, 69 Silver, and 64 Bronze medals.
- Global Standings: Russia finished second with 35 medals (15 Gold, 14 Silver, 6 Bronze), while Bosnia and Herzegovina took third place.
- Largest Contingent: India fielded its largest-ever squad of 219 athletes.
- Podium Sweeps: Indian athletes dominated several events, winning all three medals in categories such as the Men's Shot Put F57 (Shubham Juyal leading with gold) and the Men's 800m T53–T54.
- Star Performers:
- Preeti Pal: The double Paris 2024 Paralympic medallist was the standout athlete, securing a Double Gold in the Women’s 100m and 200m (T35–T37).
- Sumit Antil: The reigning Paralympic champion lived up to his reputation, winning Gold in Men's Javelin Throw (F43/F44/F64) with a massive throw of 69.25 metres.
- Praveen Kumar: The Paralympic high jump star also secured Gold in his category.
- Manojkumar Sabapathi: Led a clean sweep in the Men's 800m T53–T54.
- Growth of Parasports: The record haul highlights the success of government initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and Khelo India Para Games in identifying and nurturing talent.
