New Delhi to host World Para Athletics Grand Prix with 250+ athletes

India is set to host the World Para Athletics Grand Prix as more than 250 para-athletes from eight countries compete in the three-day international meet beginning March 11 in New Delhi . The tournament will conclude on March 13 , bringing together both elite and emerging athletes across multiple track and field disciplines.

The event will feature competitors from India , Russia , Nepal , Bhutan , Hong Kong , Serbia , Bosnia and Herzegovina , and Egypt , reflecting the growing international participation in para athletics events hosted by India.

The host nation will field the largest contingent , with around 219 Indian athletes competing across several sport classifications. The Indian squad includes some of the country’s leading para-athletes such as Mariyappan Thangavelu, Sumit Antil, and Praveen Kumar, all Paralympic gold medallists. Other prominent competitors include Ajeet Singh, Devendra Singh Gurjar, Ankur Dhama, Simran, who won gold at the 2025 World Championships, and Preeti Pal, a double bronze medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in the women’s 100m and 200m T35 events.

Athletes will compete in a wide range of track and field events across different sport classifications , providing an important international platform for athletes to gain experience and improve rankings. The competition will also play a crucial role in international classification , which determines athletes’ eligibility for global competitions.

A total of 74 international classification slots will be available during the event, including 39 for athletes with physical impairments, 29 for athletes with vision impairments, and six for athletes with intellectual impairments.

Speaking about the event, Devendra Jhajharia , President of the Paralympic Committee of India , said the participation of athletes from eight countries highlights the growing global stature of para athletics in India. He added that the strong Indian contingent would gain valuable international exposure by competing with top para-athletes from across the world.

In the 2025 edition of the Grand Prix held in New Delhi , India delivered a dominant performance, finishing first in the medal tally with 134 medals , including 45 gold, 40 silver and 49 bronze , underlining the country’s rising strength in para athletics.