Preeti Pal, Dharambir confident ahead of World Para Athletics Championships – Firstpost

Ahead of the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, PCI launched Team India’s jersey on August 27. India’s flag bearers Preeti Pal and Dharambir, medalists from the 2024 Paris Paralympics, shared their hopes and expectations, and also expressed excitement about competing on home soil.

India is all set to host the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi just 30 days from now. Ahead of the mega event, India’s flag bearers, Preeti Pal and Dharambir, spoke exclusively to Firstpost, where they opened up on their hopes and expectations, and also expressed excitement about competing on home soil.

The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) launched the official Team India jersey on Wednesday, August 27, in New Delhi. The ceremony was attended by PCI’s brand ambassador, actor and MP Kangana Ranaut, PCI President Devendra Jhajharia and several of India’s leading para athletes. Among them were Preeti Pal, Dharambir, Simran Sharma, and Pranav Soorma.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADPCI President Devendra Jhajharia and brand ambassador Kangana Ranaut along with athletes during the launch event. Image: Special arrangement

Dharambir and Preeti had memorable outings at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Dharambir won gold in the men’s Club Throw F51 event, while Preeti secured two bronze medals in the women’s 100m and 200m T35 race events.

Preeti wants to change the colour of her medal

Speaking to this website, Preeti said winning a medal at the Paralympics was the happiest moment of her life. “When I won a medal at the Paris Paralympics, I felt as if I had received all the happiness in the world. Now I just think about changing the colour of my medal and achieving my personal best at the World Championships,” she said.

Preeti also spoke about the new mondo track at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, which will host the Championships. She said that athletes earlier wanted to go abroad for training, but now they are glad to have world-class facilities at home.

“We always wished to have a mondo track for practice. We were even planning to go abroad. Our coach also said that this time, for the Asian Games, we would definitely go international, travel abroad and practice well. But then we came to know that a mondo track was being made right here at our home ground (JLN). That made us very happy because the diet here suits us, unlike abroad. So now we have got something extra, more than what we had hoped for. We will make every possible effort to achieve our personal best,” she said.

When asked about competing on home soil, she said, “It’s our home ground, so it will feel special. And now that we also have a mondo track, it will be even more enjoyable.”

Preeti also shared her journey, saying she came to know about Paralympics only through Instagram reels. She said that she was only aiming for the Asian Games at first, but went on to win medals at the World Championships and the Paralympics.

“I got to know about the Paralympics through Instagram. Earlier, I only knew about the Olympics. When I found out about the Paralympics through reels, I felt that I could play here. After that, I started preparing, and I was only thinking as far as the Asian Games. At that time, I didn’t even know if I could reach the Paralympics or not.

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“Since I didn’t win a medal at the Asian Games, I then started preparing for the World Championships in Japan. It might sound a bit strange because that is even harder, but I didn’t give up. My coach also trained me hard, and there I won two medals in the 100m and 200m. After that, I qualified for the Paralympics, and there too I won two medals,” she added.

Preeti Pal has been named India’s flag bearer for the event along with Dharambir. Image: Vishal Tiwari/Firstpost

Dharambir on becoming India’s flag bearer

Meanwhile, Dharambir expressed his excitement at being named Team India’s flag bearer. “It is a matter of great pride for me. First of all, the fact that India is hosting the World Championships itself is a very proud moment. On top of that, I have been chosen as the flag bearer for Team India, which is an even bigger honour,” he told this website.

Dharambir also said he was confident about his chances at the World Championships in New Delhi. “My expectation is definitely for gold, and I am targeting a distance of 36m. Beyond that, I will give my absolute best,” he added.

PCI President Jhajharia said, “Today’s jersey launch and the announcement of our strong Team India contingent is more than just unveiling a uniform; it is a celebration of courage, determination, and the spirit of our para athletes. Each athlete represents India’s resilience and pride, and we are confident that this team will deliver outstanding performances at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi.”

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The World Para Athletics Championships will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi from September 27 to October 5. Team India will be aiming to better their record from the previous edition, where they won 17 medals, including six gold. Jhajharia even promised that in the launch event, saying, “We will win more than 17 medals.”

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