India topped the medal tally with 134 medals, including 45 golds, at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix. Key performances included Preethi Pal’s bronze in the women’s 200m T35-38 and Sagar’s gold in men’s shot put F11–F20. Vanessa Low from Australia also showcased excellence in the long jump, securing gold. The event will be hosted annually in India until 2028.
India achieved outstanding success at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, concluding with a remarkable total of 134 medals comprising 45 gold, 40 silver, and 49 bronze. The event featured approximately 150 Indian athletes among a diverse field of competitors from 19 different nations. Notably, Vanessa Low of Australia, a three-time Paralympic champion, excelled in the T61-64 long jump, securing gold with a distance of 4.96m in her third attempt.
In the women’s 200m T35-38 event, Indian athlete Preethi Pal garnered a bronze medal, recording a time of 31.50 seconds. Earlier, she claimed silver in the 100m race, reflecting her exceptional talent. Rhiannon Clarke from Australia achieved gold with a time of 26.76 seconds, and Margarita Goncharova, a neutral Paralympic athlete, won silver in the 200m T35-38 final.
India will host the World Para Athletics Grand Prix annually until 2028, as confirmed by a newly signed four-year contract. Preethi Pal expressed her aspirations to clinch gold at the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships in September and emphasized her determination to compete internationally despite limited training time.
In the men’s shot put F11–F20 category, Indian athletes dominated by securing all three medals: Sagar won gold with an 11.47m throw, Janka Singh earned silver with 9.91m, and Balaji Rajendran took bronze with 9.89m. In other events, Irina Sapanzha triumphed in the women’s long jump T20–T37 with a distance of 5.35m, while both silver and bronze medals were claimed by competitors Valentina and Bhuvi Agarwal respectively.
India’s dominant performance at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, culminating in a total of 134 medals, has solidified its status in para athletics on an international scale. The notable achievements of athletes like Preethi Pal and Sagar, alongside the anticipated continuation of the Grand Prix in India, reflects the nation’s commitment to fostering the growth of para sports. Future competitions present an exciting opportunity for Indian athletes to excel further on the global stage.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
