The New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships took place from 27th September to 5th October. The Novuna Great Britain and Northern Ireland team finished seventh in the medal table with a total of 25 medals – seven gold, five silver and 13 bronze.
Here, we share the medal winners, results and reactions from the British Paralympians who took part over the nine-day event in the Indian capital. We also highlight again the lack of media coverage that disability sport still continues to face.
World Para Athletics Championships 2025 highlights summary:
- Hannah Cockroft dominates World Para Athletics Championships with triple gold
- Double bronze for Mel Woods in T54 middle-distance events
- Nathan Maguire wins first 1500m world medal with brilliant bronze finish
- Frame runner Finlay Menzies secures medal on World Championship debut
- T44 sprinter Victoria Levitt wins gold on dream World Championship debut
- More bronze success for Great Britain in the 100m finals
- British athletes impress in high jump and long jump finals
- Hollie Arnold and Dan Pembroke shine in javelin at World Championships
- British shot putters deliver record-breaking performances and multiple medals
- Dan Greaves leads British success in F44 discus with bronze medal finish
- The importance of broadcasting disability sports
British stars shine in wheelchair racing at the World Para Athletics Championships
British wheelchair racers delivered outstanding performances at the World Para Athletics Championships, winning multiple medals, setting records, and showcasing determination across sprint, middle-distance, and endurance events.
Hannah Cockroft dominates World Para Athletics Championships with triple gold
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Hannah Cockroft began the World Para Athletics Championships by leading a British one-two-three in the women’s T34 400m, with Karé Adenegan claiming silver and Fabienne André in third.
Hannah led from gun to tape as she delivered a championship record time of 55.62 to claim a 17th gold medal and extend her unbeaten run at worlds.
Karé Adenegan claimed silver in a season’s best time of 1:02.70, with Fabienne André finishing third in 1:04.31.
Hannah Cockroft doubled her gold medal tally in New Delhi to claim her 18th World Championship title in the T34 100m final. She finished first in 17.28 seconds and insisted there is still more to come.
“I thought the time would be quicker, but ultimately it’s all about the medals”, she said.
“There’s definitely more work to be done. I’d like to be going a bit quicker than that, but thankfully it was enough….”
“…I want to prove that I’m only 33 and I’ve got more left. I’m not done yet!”
Karé Adenegan completed a British one-two to claim her second silver medal of the championships as she clocked 18.08 seconds.
“I’m really happy with that – it’s a season’s best,” she reflected.
“I’d really have liked to go sub-18, but it’s an improvement of what I’ve done this year and shows that I’m going in the right direction.”
Fabienne André also competed in the final, achieving a fifth-place finish in 19.63 seconds.
Hannah Cockroft finished these World Championships by claiming world title number 19 with a championship record time of 1:49.88 in the T34 800m, with Kare Adenegan second in a season’s best of 2:03.91.
Hannah said: “I’m buzzing with that one – that’s the performance I’m most proud of here. It’s just relief – it always gets tougher.”
Fabienne André came fourth with a performance of 2:11.36 as China’s Lan Hanyu completed the podium.
Double bronze for Mel Woods in T54 middle-distance events
There was also medal success for Mel Woods, who claimed bronze in the women’s T54 800m and 1500m.
In the 800m, Mel clocked 1:49.59, pipping China’s Tian Yajuan to the line to secure her spot on the podium.
Mel then raced to another third-place finish in the T54 1500m in a time of 3:19.75.
“Two medals out of two races – what more could you ask for?”, she reflected.
“I wanted to be up in the mix early and hold that line. I knew it would be tactical. So I just had to stay in there and be ready for it to pick up the pace and hold on as long as possible.”
Mel’s final race, the T54 400m, saw her finish fourth in a time of 53:51. Despite not reaching the podium, Mel is still proud of her achievements at these championships:
“I don’t think I can be greedy. Coming into this, having two medals, it is so funny, your perspective so quickly changes to wanting more. I came into this, my first international was four years ago, and I feel I have grown since then and have to remind myself there is still so much more to get out. Overall, pretty happy!”
Nathan Maguire wins first 1500m world medal with brilliant bronze finish
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Nathan Maguire beat the world champion in a tactical 1500m race to win bronze at the World Para Athletics Championships.
Nathan won his second-ever world medal and his first in the 1500m in an exciting race at the national stadium. He positioned himself well in third place early on, then with 400m to go, China’s Jin turned up the pace to stretch out the field, with Nathan using his sprint strength in the last 100m to edge out Marcel Hug for third with a time of 2:51.51.
This is what I have dreamed of my whole career, and to be able to do that in front of my family who have come to watch, not many people in the stadium, but at least I had my team in here. It is always special to do that in front of them to take away a 1500m bronze medal – I have never done that before. It is really exciting”, he beamed.
In his other races, Nathan narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fifth with a time of 1:32.16 in the fastest T54 800m race in history — won by China’s Jin with a new world record — and placed fourth in a highly competitive T54 400m final.
British sprinters and middle-distance stars impress on the world stage
British ambulant para athletes — including those with cerebral palsy, limb differences, and visual impairments — delivered strong performances across a range of track events at the World Para Athletics Championships. From debut breakthroughs and personal bests to hard-fought podium finishes, the team showcased depth, determination, and world-class talent.
Frame runner Finlay Menzies secures medal on World Championship debut
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Finlay Menzies added to the Novuna Great Britain & Northern Ireland team’s medal haul in New Delhi by bagging bronze in the T72 100m on day four of the World Championships.
Having delivered a personal best in the morning qualifying session, Finlay took it up another level in the final.
He achieved a second personal best of the day to finish in 16.29 seconds and claim a podium place in his first-ever World Championships.
“It feels amazing that it’s been the first games I’ve been involved in, and I have managed to medal. It makes it so special,” he said.
“I was pretty confident that I could make it happen – I just had to give it my best shot. It’s absolutely amazing my parents are here and I can celebrate this with them.
“I’m so passionate about frame running – it’s so fun and the only way that I can run. I can’t wait for LA – it’s so exciting.
“It would be amazing if more people could watch and know about it. I’d love for more people to see what people can do with whatever disability they’ve got, and that they’re more than what their disability is.”
Frame running, also known as RaceRunning, originated in Denmark in 1991 and became an international competitive sport in 2016. It debuted at major para-athletics events in 2018 and 2019. On 3 June 2025, the International Paralympic Committee announced its inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
T44 sprinter Victoria Levitt wins gold on dream World Championship debut
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Competing at her first-ever World Championships, Victoria Levitt stormed to T44 100m gold in 13.22 seconds.
“I’m still shell-shocked. I can’t believe this is what I’ve walked away with,” she said.
“I just wanted to get out first, lead all the way through and then when I crossed the line and didn’t see anybody else, I was like, ‘Does this mean I’m first?’
“Being world champion is probably the scariest thing I’ve ever heard – and probably will take some time to sink in.”
Victoria also had British company in her final as Bebe Jackson raced to a medal on her senior international debut.
The 19-year-old clocked 13.63 to clinch the podium spot and seal a dream bow on the world stage.
Later in the week, Victoria ran a new personal best 27.46 in the 200m to take silver behind USA’s Annie Carey, who stormed home with an American record 27.31.
Bebe Jackson ran a fantastic bend to finish with a new personal best of 28.19 for third spot.
More bronze success for Great Britain in the 100m finals
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Great Britain added to its medal tally with two superb bronze performances on the track. Thomas Young delivered a strong run in the men’s T38 100m, finishing third behind two American rivals,
Thomas said: “If a lot of people could have two things in a championship year, it would be a PB and a medal. I ticked off those two things – but I do like to win, and whenever I don’t, I am harsh to myself”
Meanwhile, Didi Okoh powered to T63 100mbronze, timing her finish perfectly to secure a podium place in 14.66 seconds.
Reacting to the result, Didi said: “I feel like I went and achieved all that. I left everything out on the track.
“I was leading for most of it, so for me to put that out and actually lead the first half of the race, I could not be more proud of myself.”
British athletes impress in high jump and long jump finals
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Jonathan Broom-Edwards won a seventh consecutive world medal with silver in the men’s T64 high jump.
The two-time Paralympic medallist produced a season’s best effort of 2.00m to claim silver behind Temurbek Giyazov of Uzbekistan.
He said: “I’m so happy to still be here – a year ago I didn’t know if I’d ever walk again, let alone jump, but to be jumping pain-free is great. I know I’ve got more there – I’ve just had a really rough season.
“The most important thing is LA is around the corner – I’m back, I’m still here and happy I can still use my body in the way I want it to.
Luke Sinnott managed a top-eight finish in the men’s T63 long jump final despite competing through injury.
He had picked up an injury just before the event started, but managed a jump of 6.41 metres to finish seventh in a competitive field.
Olivia Breen came close to boosting the medal tally further as she finished fourth in the T38 long jump.
She jumped a personal best 5.17 metres with her first jump to place her just outside the podium spots in a competitive final that saw the world record broken twice.
Maddie Down finished a place behind Olivia in fifth as she broke five metres for the first time in competition with a jump of 5.04 metres.
Zak Skinner also finished just outside of the podium places in the T13 long jump final as he had to settle for fourth with a jump of 6.80 metres.
Other track results:
- Sophie Hahn – T38 100m & 200m – Finished 5th in the 100m (12.88) and 7th in the 200m (27.11).
- Arthur Milles – T13 1500m – Finished 11th with a time of 4:12.92 on his international debut.
- Dan Gladman – T64 100m – Finished 7th with a time of 11.39 seconds.
- Hannah Taunton – T20 1500m – Finished 4th with a time of 4:42.95.
- Luke Nuttall – T46 1500m – Finished 4th with a season’s best time of 3:57.49.
British throwers excel in javelin, shot put, and discus at World Championships
British field athletes showcased their strength and consistency across the javelin, shot put, and discus events in New Delhi, delivering world records, personal bests, and multiple podium finishes. Their performances highlighted the nation’s depth in throwing disciplines and built strong momentum ahead of the next Paralympic cycle.
Hollie Arnold and Dan Pembroke shine in javelin at World Championships
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Hollie Arnold claimed bronze in the F46 javelin on day one of the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.
Opening the competition with a season’s best throw of 41.91 took the lead. The Dutch competitor, Roorda, threw a personal best of 43.74 in her fourth attempt to snatch the top spot from Hollie in the third round.
At her eighth World Championships, Hollie consistently threw over 40m, but the Uzbekistan athlete, Yigitalieva claimed the silver just 3cm ahead of her.
After taking the last nine months off from the sport following the Paris Paralympic Games, Hollie had mixed emotions after this competition.
“It’s amazing to come out here and medal at all – it’s been a real journey for me this year. I’ve had nine months off and that’s a really long time – the longest I’ve ever had in my career.
“I was absolutely broken after Paris – I didn’t think there was a way back, so to come here and win another major medal makes me so proud of myself.”
Great Britain co-captain Dan Pembroke threw a season’s best of 68.51 to win his third straight world title to add to his two Paralympic golds, setting his furthest mark with his final throw.
“It was a relief – I didn’t tell anyone, but I haven’t thrown a javelin for four and a half weeks,” he said. “I was just trying to find my head out there – I’m ecstatic with the win, but I’m always looking to push my performance and the world record more and more.”
British shot putters deliver record-breaking performances and multiple medals
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Aled Davies won gold to secure his 7th consecutive world F63 shot put title in a thrilling competition. He threw 16.44m on his fifth attempt after Faisal Sorour from Kuwait battled with the Welshman, taking the area record in his sixth attempt at 16.28m, but it wasn’t enough to claim the top spot.
“After last year’s heartbreak and the pain I’ve been in for the last four or five years, I’ve accepted I needed to have a few repairs. I’ve done it, I’ve rebuilt in the silence and darkness on my own, and I’ve been able to compete again.
“I feel good to be back, but I still feel like there’s so much more – this is something I am building for towards LA.”
Sabrina Fortune headlined British success on day three of the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 as she set a new world record to claim gold in the women’s F20 shot put.
She threw a world record 16.75m on her first throw to set the pace in the shot put. It was a distance that could not be beaten as the 28-year-old outstripped the competition considerably, with second place registering a throw of 13.80m.
“I’m over the moon. I’m so, so happy and honestly can’t believe it,” she said.
“I wasn’t expecting that far – I wanted 16m and I wanted to push towards LA, where I’d hopefully hit a 17m, but this pushes our plan off quite a bit!”
Other shot put results saw Funmi Oduwaiye claim bronze in the F44 shot put with a personal best of 12.11m. Michael Jenkins set a European record of 18.84m to take bronze in the men’s F38 event. Lydia Church returned to the podium with bronze in the F12 shot put (12.60m), while co-captain Anna Nicholson secured bronze in the F35 with a personal best of 9.58m. International debutant Amy Thompson finished seventh in the F41 shot put with 8.33m.
Dan Greaves leads British success in F44 discus with bronze medal finish
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Dan Greaves secured a bronze in the F44 discus final with a top throw of 52.42.
Reacting to the result, Dan said: “It was great, I had three Indian guys in my event, so I knew they would get behind them and the high jump as well, right next door, it was really good – making plenty of noise.”
“For me, the performance wasn’t great. I have quite high standards of myself, training has been going really well, and unfortunately, this year it has just been a bit hit and miss. We have had some really good results and really poor results. I thought I would throw further today and really challenge for the lead, as that is the sort of distances we have been throwing in training.
“When I look back, when I am long time retired, it is when you look back in your career and look back at your trophy cabinet for me getting another medal at a world champs – I am so proud of my team that have got me here.”
Other discus results saw Harrison Walsh finish fifth in the F44 discus final with a best throw of 51.49m. Funmi Oduwaiye narrowly missed the podium, placing fourth with 37.91m, while debutant Bree Cronin impressed with a final-round throw of 37.68m to secure fifth place in a strong field.
The importance of broadcasting disability sports
Back in September 2023, I wrote an article discussing the lack of disability sports being broadcast on television. Now, over two years later, I’m still not seeing any improvements.
I admit, as a disabled journalist, I am passionate about providing coverage of disability sports, but due to the lack of publicity and coverage, I was unaware the World Para Athletics Championships were taking place until I stumbled across a news article on the BBC Sports website a few days into the competition.
I then dug deeper to see if it was being broadcast anywhere, and the only option was the Paralympics YouTube channel, which only had a morning and evening live stream, but not many highlight videos. I even checked the ParalympicsGB website and YouTube channel, and they had no coverage specifically for the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team.
And yet, in early September, the World Athletics Championships were broadcast across the BBC live and on catch-up. Why do broadcasters continue to isolate disability sports unless it’s the Paralympic Games?
I still remember at Paris 2024, many top athletes, including Hannah Cockcroft and Jonnie Peacock, were raising awareness that they do compete in many other competitions, such as the World Championships, European Championships and Diamond League, and it would be great to fill stadiums with spectators like they do in the Paralympics.
This shows the importance of publicising these events in the mainstream media and, especially when it’s taking place in a different time zone, having disability sport broadcast every year, throughout the year and not just every four years for the Paralympics. But sadly, this message is still not being addressed by broadcasters.
Having disability sport broadcast more frequently not only gives them equal coverage to non-disabled athletes but also may inspire the next generation of athletes to consider competing in sport. Many people may have thought they couldn’t because of their impairments, especially when they’re not aware of some sports that are currently not in the Paralympic program but may be visible within other competitions, for instance, frame running.
In the meantime, to keep up-to-date with all the latest disability sports news, results and reactions, please check out our sports section on Crip Life™.