The National Paralympic Athletics Championship, hosted by the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority and the Tamil Nadu Paralympic Sports Association, has been a stage for remarkable performances by India’s top para-athletes. Held from February 18 to 20, 2025, the event features 1,476 competitors from 30 states and union territories, contending in 155 events. With 185 participants from Tamil Nadu, the championship celebrates resilience and sporting excellence.
Paris Paralympics bronze medallist and reigning world champion Deepthi Jeevanji dominated the women’s 400m T20 race, securing gold with a remarkable 57.85 seconds. Haryana’s Pooja finished second with a time of 1:08.21s, while her state-mate Bhuvi Agrawal took bronze at 1:09.24s.
In the men’s F57 shot put, national record holder Soman Rana outperformed Paris Paralympics gold medallist Hokato Sema to claim victory. Rana’s best throw of 14.42m secured him gold, with Sema settling for silver at 13.53m. Shubhan Juyal from SSCB earned bronze with a 13.39m throw.
The championship also witnessed standout performances in other events. Haryana’s Vikas triumphed in the men’s long jump T45/T46/T47 category with a leap of 6.75m, narrowly beating Tamil Nadu’s Shiek Abdul Kad, who secured silver with 6.69m. Himachal Pradesh’s Nishad Kumar, who finished third with 6.49m, also clinched gold in the men’s high jump T45/46/47 event.
In men’s shot put, Haryana’s Manu topped the F37 category with a 12.17m throw, while Andhra Pradesh’s Ravi Rongali excelled in the F40 event with a 10.03m attempt. Tamil Nadu’s Manoj Singaraja led the F41 category with an 8.94m throw.
The 400m events saw intense competition. Haryana’s Madan clocked 57.16s to win the men’s T11 final, while Uttar Pradesh’s Chirag Tyagi secured gold in the T12 category with 50.89s. Haryana continued its success with Ashish winning the T13 race in 54.35s.
Ravi Kumar Meena from Rajasthan emerged victorious in the men’s T20 400m final, finishing in 56.47s. Haryana’s Sahil claimed gold in the T36 category with a time of 1:08.44s, while Uttar Pradesh’s Dharmender Kumar dominated the T44/T62/T64 race, clocking 54.32s.
Paralympic champions also reinforced their dominance. Paris Paralympics gold medallist javelin thrower Navdeep Singh reigned supreme in the F41 javelin event. High jumper Nishad Kumar, who previously won silver at the Paralympics, took gold in the men’s high jump T45/46/47. Praveen Kumar, another Paris Paralympics gold medallist, delivered an authoritative win in the T64 event.
With record-breaking performances and exceptional displays of talent, the championship continues to highlight the determination and skill of India’s elite para-athletes.