In a defining moment for Indian para-sports, Nishad Kumar clinched his maiden gold medal at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 in New Delhi, winning the high jump T47 category. Known for his consistent top-tier performances, Nishad had long chased the top spot, finishing as runner-up at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics and the last two World Championships. But on Friday, his dream turned into reality.
Looking calm and focused throughout, Nishad cleared all pre-set marks on his very first attempts. Once it was confirmed that he had secured gold, Nishad boldly went for a world record attempt at 2.18 meters. While he fell short of setting the record, the title was already his — a historic win for both him and the nation.
This victory was especially significant as he beat American high jumper Roderick Townsend, a three-time world and Paralympic champion. Townsend managed only one successful jump at 2.03m, finishing behind Turkey’s Abdullah Ilgaz, who took silver.
Reflecting on the moment, Nishad shared: “I have been waiting for this day for a year. I have been working very hard for this day. Today is the day. I have given my best. It’s God’s will. No one can stop me.” He added, “I already have silver medals. I have kept them on my rack. I haven’t seen them since. I had written in my diary that I will do it today.”
Nishad also called it a special personal milestone to beat Townsend for the first time: “It was a big achievement for me. I beat him for the first time in my life. I saw him for the first time in Rio 2016.”
Friday was doubly special for India as Simran Sharma also clinched her first World Championships gold in the T12 100m sprint. Clocking a personal best of 11.95 seconds, Simran added to her growing legacy, having won gold in the 200m at the last edition and a bronze at the 2024 Paralympics.
Together, Nishad and Simran’s victories mark a high point in India’s para-athletics journey, inspiring the next generation of athletes with resilience, skill, and a refusal to settle for anything less than gold.
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