Deepthi Jeevanji won India’s first gold medal at the World Para Athletics Championships 2024 when she won in the women’s T20 400 m event on Monday. She clocked a world record of 55.07 seconds.
Earlier Deepthi qualified for the finals setting a new Asian record with a time of 56.18 seconds and secured a Paris 2024 Paralympics quota.
Deepthi smashed American Breanna Clark’s earlier world record of 55.12 seconds set during last year’s edition of the championships in Paris.
Aysel Onder of Turkey was second with 55.19 seconds while Lizanshela Angulo of Ecuador was third with 56.68 seconds on the fourth day of competitions.
Deepthi had qualified for the final after winning her heat race in an Asian record time of 56.18 seconds on Sunday.
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The T20 category is meant for athletes who have intellectual impairment.
In the men’s F56 category discus throw, Yogesh Kathuniya won a silver with an effort of 41.80 metres. This is his season best record. Brazil’s Claudiney Batista threw 45.14m to secure gold in the event, while Dusan Laczko of Slovakia won bronze.
Yogesh Kathuniya won silver with an effort of 41.80 metres. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The F56 category is meant for athletes who compete in field events from a seated position. Different athletes, including those with amputations and spinal cord injuries compete in this class.
Bhagyashri Mahavrao Jadhav won India’s third medal of the day with a throw of 7.56m in the women’s shotput F34 event to bag silver. China’s Zou Lijuan threw a humongous 9.11m to clinch gold.
F34 category is for field athletes with movement affected to a low degree in the trunk and arms with highly affected legs.
India, which had won a record 10 medals in the last edition of the Games, including three gold, four silver, and three bronze medals, has won five medals so far.
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