Kangana Ranaut In Attendance As India Announce 73-Strong Team For World Para Athletics Championships

Last Updated:August 27, 2025, 21:32 IST

Mariyappan Thangavelu and Sharad Kumar miss India’s 73-member World Para Athletics Championships squad led by Sumit Antil. Dharambir Nain and Preethi Pal named flag bearers.

Kangana Ranaut during the launch of team India's jersey for the World Para Athletics Championships (PTI)

Three-time Paralympics medallist and high jumper Mariyappan Thangavelu was notably absent from India’s 73-member team for the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships, led by star javelin thrower Sumit Antil. The event will be hosted by India for the first time next month.

Another high jumper, Sharad Kumar, who earned a bronze and silver in the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics, respectively, also did not make the squad, which includes 19 women.

The Indian team was announced on Wednesday during the unveiling of the players’ jerseys for the championships, set to take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium from September 27 to October 5.

The 30-year-old Thangavelu is a highly decorated para athlete in India. He secured a gold in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, a silver in Tokyo, and a bronze in Paris. Additionally, Thangavelu won a gold at last year’s World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan, and a bronze in the 2019 edition. He also claimed a silver at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023.

A para athletics coach informed PTI that Thangavelu and Kumar did not participate in the selection trials for different reasons.

“Recently, Thangavelu made changes in his technique and he will need some time to get used to it. He will be back in future. Sharad wants to focus on the Asian Para Games (in Japan) next year," the coach said.

“So, both did not take part in the selection trials and they were not selected."

The team jersey launch ceremony was attended by actress and PCI’s brand ambassador Kangana Ranaut, who is also a Member of Parliament.

Paralympics Committee of India (PCI) President Devendra Jhajharia stated that para athletes from 107 countries have confirmed their participation, making this edition the largest in the championship’s history.

“India had won 17 medals in the 2024 edition in Japan. We will win more medals this time," he said.

“We want this championships to be the most successful one in para athletics history."

Jhajharia, a two-time Paralympics gold-medallist javelin thrower, previously told PTI that the Mondo track being laid at the event venue and training area at the JLN Stadium will be completed by September 1.

Paris Paralympics club throw gold medallist Dharambir Nain and double bronze-winning sprinter Preethi Pal have been chosen as India’s flag bearers for the opening ceremony on September 27.

Jhajharia mentioned that the PCI has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the championships.

What Is The Indian Squad For World Para Athletics Championships?

Men: Ajeet Singh (Javelin F45/46), Banti (High Jump T44/64), Birbhadra Singh (Discus Throw F57), Devender Kumar (Discus Throw F43/44), Dharambir (Club Throw F51), Hanry (Discus Throw F37), Manjeet (Javelin F12/13), Manu (Shot Put F37), Mohd Yasser (Shot Put F45/46), Navdeep (Javelin F40/41), Nishad Kumar (High Jump T45/46/47), Pardeep (Discus Throw F43/44), Pardeep (Long Jump T43/44), Parveen (Shot Put F45/46), Praveen Kumar (High Jump T44/64), Rahul (High Jump T42/63), Ram Pal (High Jump T45/46/47), Rinku (Javelin F45/46), Sagar (Shot Put F11), Sandeep (Javelin F42/44), Sandeep (200m T44), Sumit Antil (Javelin F61-64), Vikas (Long Jump T45/46/47), Vishu (Long Jump T12), Banothu Akira Nandan (400m T35/38), Varun Singh Bhati (High Jump T42/63), Rakeshbhai Bhatt (100m T37), Hem Chandra (Javelin F55/56/57), Dharmaraj Solairaj (Long Jump T62/64), Dilip Mahadu Gavit (400m T45/46/47), Monu Ghangas (Shot Put, Discus Throw F11), Mahendra Gurjar (Long Jump, Javelin T42/61/63, F42/44), Sundar Singh Gurjar (Javelin F45/46), Hokato Hotozhe Sema (Shot Put F56/57), Shubham Juyal (Shot Put F56/57), Atul Kaushik (Discus Throw F57), Sachin Sarjerao Khilari (Shot Put F45/46), Yogesh Kathuniya (Discus Throw F54/55/56), Pardeep Kumar (Discus Throw, Javelin F62/F64; F61/64), Parveen Kumar (Javelin F55/56/57), Pradeep Kumar (Javelin F52/53/54), Priyans Kumar (Discus Throw F57), Shailesh Kumar (High Jump T42/63), Mit Bharatbhai Patel (Long T43/44), Soman Rana (Shot Put F56/57), Unni Renu (Long Jump T43/44), Ravi Rongali (Shot Put F40), Sandip Sanjay Sagar (Javelin F42/44), Ajay Singh (Long Jump T45/46/47), Pushpendra Singh (Javelin F42/44), Pranav Soorma (Club Throw F51), Sagar Thayat (Discus Throw F43/44), Shreyansh Trivedi (100m T37), Ayush Verma (Shot Put F53).

Women: Dayawanti (Shot Put; Discus Throw F61-64; F62/F64), Karamjyoti (Discus Throw F54/55), Pooja (Discus Throw F54/55), Sharmila (Shot Put F55/56/57), Simran (100m, 200m; T12), Ekta Bhyan (Club Throw F51), Anjanaben Rohitbhai Bumbadiya (400m T45/46/47), Suresh Nimisha (Long Jump T45/46/47), Bhavanaben Ajabaji (Javelin F45/46), Bhagyashri Madhavrao Jadhav (Shot Put F34), Keerthika Jayachandran (Shot Put F53/54), Deepthi Jeevanji (400m T20), Sakshi Kasana (Discus Throw F54/55), Anandhi Kulanthaisamy (Club Throw F31/32), Kanchan Lakhani (Discus Throw F51/53), Kashish Lakra (Club Throw F51), Preeti Pal (100m; 200m T35), Suchitra Parida (Javelin F55/56), Amisha Rawat (Shot Put F45/46).

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

Read More

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First Published:

August 27, 2025, 21:32 IST

News sports Kangana Ranaut In Attendance As India Announce 73-Strong Team For World Para Athletics Championships

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