Indian discus thrower Yogesh Kathuniya secured silver at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi with a throw of 42.49 meters in the F56 category. The 28-year-old athlete has abandoned his previous habit of predicting gold medals before competitions after disappointments at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics. Kathuniya said the shift away from setting public expectations has reduced pressure and allowed him to compete more freely at home in front of family and supporters. He attributed some limitations to officials tightening his belt excessively during competition, which he estimated cost him three to four meters in distance.
The para-athlete emphasized his focus has changed from making bold predictions to concentrating on training processes and letting results follow naturally. Kathuniya praised improvements in support for para-athletes in India, noting easier access to sponsors and better financial assistance compared to previous years. He plans to compete at the Asian Para Games in Japan next year as his next major target. The athlete stressed that para-athletes need empathy rather than sympathy, expressing satisfaction that attitudes toward disabled competitors continue evolving positively across the country.
The para-athlete emphasized his focus has changed from making bold predictions to concentrating on training processes and letting results follow naturally. Kathuniya praised improvements in support for para-athletes in India, noting easier access to sponsors and better financial assistance compared to previous years. He plans to compete at the Asian Para Games in Japan next year as his next major target. The athlete stressed that para-athletes need empathy rather than sympathy, expressing satisfaction that attitudes toward disabled competitors continue evolving positively across the country.
