New Delhi: Even a silver medal wasn’t enough to fully satisfy Indian para-athlete Ekta Bhyan, who admitted she fell short of her personal best despite finishing second at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 held in New Delhi.
The 40-year-old club thrower from Hisar produced a season-best throw of 19.80 metres in the women’s F51 final, maintaining consistency throughout with no fouls — and saving her best for the last round. Yet, the perfectionist in her was not content.
“The performance was close to my previous mark, but I couldn’t reach my personal best of 21.66 metres,” Ekta told ANI. “The competition was tougher this time and the heat made it even more challenging. I’m proud of winning a medal for India, but not entirely happy with my performance.”
The championship proved historic for Team India, which finished 10th overall with 22 medals — six gold, nine silver, and seven bronze — marking the nation’s best-ever finish at the global event.
Ekta said the event’s success was a moment of national pride:
“It’s an honour that India hosted such a world-class para-athletics championship. The organisation, accessibility, and arrangements — from hotels to stadiums — were outstanding. The Sports Authority of India and the Paralympic Committee deserve full credit for this achievement.”
Competing in front of a home crowd was both thrilling and pressurising, she admitted.
“The audience was cheering in Hindi — that was incredible. But as a defending champion surrounded by family and friends, expectations were high. There was pressure, but converting it into a medal was very satisfying,” she said.
Ekta, who has long been an advocate for accessibility and inclusion, believes India’s successful hosting of the event strengthens its bid for future global competitions — including the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games, for which India has already sent a Letter of Intent to the International Olympic Committee.
“Hosting the Paralympics is possible if we continue improving accessibility in public transport, buildings, and infrastructure. The upgrades for the World Championships were excellent, but we must make such facilities standard across the country,” she emphasized.
Looking ahead, Ekta is focused on the 2026 Para Asian Games and the Los Angeles Paralympics 2028, where her event — the club throw — has been reinstated after being dropped from the Paris Paralympics.
“I’m thrilled that the club throw is back in the 2028 Paralympic programme,” she said. “That gives me a clear target. My ultimate goal is a Paralympic medal — that’s the one achievement still missing. Every competition now is part of that journey.”
Ekta Bhyan’s silver may not have met her personal benchmark, but her determination, honesty, and hunger for excellence once again make her one of India’s strongest hopes on the global para-athletic stage.
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