This year, Paralympic sports have soared to new heights. With world-record performances, watershed firsts, and relentless perseverance—athletes continued to redefine athletic excellence. The following ten achievements are both contemporary and monumental, reflecting the resilience and triumph of athletes worldwide. Read on to discover how these stories are shaping the narrative of Paralympic history.
1. Catherine Debrunner Smashes 5 World Records at Nottwil Grand Prix

At the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland (23–25 May 2025), Swiss wheelchair racing icon Catherine Debrunner rewrote history. Having secured five Paralympic golds in Paris 2024, she returned stronger—shattering her own world record in the women’s 100 m T53 by 0.05 s (15.20 s) and capturing five gold medals across sprint and middle-distance events.
- 🥇 100 m T53 – new WR: 15.20 s
- 🥇 400 m T53 – 0:49.53
- 🥇 800 m T53 – 1:42.86
- 🥇 1500 m T53 – 3:16.43
- 🥇 5000 m T53-T54 – 10:48.83
That same weekend, legend Marcel Hug earned three golds, and athletes from multiple countries set four more world records at the event.
2. Sarah Palomeque & Joel de Jong Ignite Paralympic Records in Paris

During the Paris 2024 Paralympics, a triumvirate of athletes broke world records on the track:
- Karen Palomeque of Colombia reset the women’s 100 m T38 record with a dazzling 12.26 s.
- U.S. sprinter Jaydin Blackwell obliterated his own WR in the men’s 100 m T38 with a stunning 10.64 s.
- Dutch jumper Joel de Jong reclaimed his record in the men’s long jump T63 with a final leap of 7.68 m.
These stellar performances not only earned medals but also cemented their places as legends of their disciplines.
3. Yuyan Jiang Becomes Most Decorated Athlete & Wins Laureus

Chinese teen Yuyan Jiang left an indelible mark at Paris 2024, claiming seven gold medals, more than any other athlete.
Her medals included:
- 🥇 50 m freestyle S6 (WR 32.59 s)
- 🥇 100 m freestyle S7 (WR 1:09.68)
- 🥇 100 m backstroke S6 (WR 1:19.44)
Her dominance earned the prestigious 2025 Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award in April 2025.
4. Saysunee Jana Secures Fencing Triple Golds for Thailand

At Paris 2024, veteran wheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana achieved the first-ever clean sweep by a female fencer in all three weapons—sabre, foil, and épée—taking gold in each and bronze in the team event. This feat made her the first woman ever to do so, with João Roberto Marson being the only prior male to have such dominance, dating back to 1968.
5. Ezekiel “Ezra” Frech’s USA Breakthrough in High Jump & Sprint

American prodigy Ezra Frech, born missing his left knee and shinbone, triumphed in Paris 2024:
- 🥇 100 m T63 – narrowly edged out Germany by 0.02 s.
- 🥇 High jump T63 – afresh world record holder and double gold medalist.
His victories are an inspiration to young athletes around the world.
6. India’s Record 29 Medals at Paris Paralympics

India celebrated its most successful Paralympic showing in Paris:
- 🥇 7 gold
- 🥈 9 silver
- 🥉 13 bronze
- Final ranking: 18th overall.
Key highlights:
- Avani Lekhara – first Indian woman to defend 10 m air rifle SH1 title with WR score 249.7.
- Dharambir – gold in F51 club throw, along with silver by Parnav Soorma (1‑2 finish).
- Praveen Kumar – took high jump T42/T63 gold with Asian record 2.08 m.
- Sumit Antil – first Indian male to defend javelin F64 title, gold with 70.59 m throw, breaking his own record thrice.
- Preethi Pal – made history as first Indian woman to win a Paralympic athletics track medal (two bronzes in T35 100 m/200 m).
- Deepthi Jeevanji – first intellectually impaired Indian athlete to win a Paralympic medal (400 m T20 bronze).
- Sheetal Devi – 17-year-old armless archer, youngest Indian Paralympic medalist, bronze (world-record ranking round).
7. Brazil Shatters Paralympic Records & Reaches 5th Place

Brazil’s Paralympians delivered a historic performance in Paris:
- 🇧🇷 Finished 5th overall – best-ever rank.
- Set 6 world records and 8 Paralympic records across athletics, swimming, canoeing, powerlifting.
- Carol Santiago – three golds, becoming Brazil’s top female Paralympic gold medalist.
- Gabriel “Gabrielzinho” Araújo – dominated with three golds despite congenital limb differences.
- Thiago Paulino’s silver in F57 shot put became Brazil’s 200th athletics medal in Paralympic history.
8. Salum Ageze Kashafali Remains Fastest Vision-Impaired Sprinter

Norwegian sprinter Salum Ageze Kashafali, visually impaired (T12), continued dominating:
- Gold in 2020 (100 m T12), silver in 2024 (100 m T13).
- Holds WRs: 10.43 s (T12, 2020) and 10.37 s (T13, 2023) – fastest Paralympian 100 m overall.
He continues to define para sprint excellence.
9. ASEAN Para Games 2025: Largest Event in History

The 2025 ASEAN Para Games in Thailand marked a milestone:
- 🏟️ Expanded program: 19 sports, 536 medal events – surpassing the 2008 record of 488 events.
- Featured new sports such as para-bowling, para-chess, CP football, along with 16 core Paralympic disciplines.
This growth demonstrates the rising popularity and inclusion in Para sports across Southeast Asia.
10. Sumit Antil Pushes Limits Beyond Para Javelin

Indian javelin legend Sumit Antil showed ambition beyond defending titles:
- Gold at the 7th Indian Open (72.25 m F64).
- Aspirations: to compete against able-bodied athletes and breach 75 m mark at upcoming World Championships.
- Plans to open an academy to nurture Para talent in India .
Antil’s vision signals both personal excellence and community emphasis in Paralympic sport.
🏁 Conclusion: A Year to Remember
From Debrunner’s record-breaking Grand Prix to India’s unprecedented Paralympic haul, this year has been transformational across the Paralympic landscape. Historic performances in athletics, swimming, archery, fencing, javelin, and more have rewritten record books, shattered barriers, and elevated levels of representation and excellence globally.
These achievements were made possible by athletes’ relentless grit, unwavering community support, and evolving sports infrastructure. As these trailblazers continue to defy expectations, they are not just athletes—they are icons, advocates, and testaments to human potential.
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