India’s para athletics star Yogesh Kathuniya once again proved his mettle, clinching a silver medal in the men’s F56 discus throw at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi on Tuesday. The 28-year-old hurled the discus to a commendable 42.49 meters on his second attempt, securing his fourth consecutive World Championships medal since 2019. Yet, the elusive gold remains just beyond his grasp, as Brazil’s Claudiney Batista dominated with a 45.67-meter throw to claim his fourth straight world title.

Kathuniya’s silver adds to an impressive resume: silvers in the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, a bronze in 2019, and silvers at the 2021 and 2024 Paralympics, plus a silver at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games. Despite his consistent podium finishes, he has yet to overcome Batista, who has bested him in four World Championships and two Paralympics. Each of Batista’s six throws in New Delhi outdistanced Kathuniya’s best, underlining the Brazilian’s dominance in the F56 category, designed for seated field event athletes with impairments like amputations or spinal cord injuries.

Performing on home soil added a special layer of meaning for Kathuniya. “Winning a silver in front of my family is a unique feeling,” he said, his smile radiating pride. “They’ve always been my biggest supporters, so performing here is truly special.” The Haryana native’s journey is one of extraordinary resilience. Diagnosed at nine with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that left him paralyzed, Kathuniya was told he’d never walk again. His mother, Meena Devi, learned physiotherapy to aid his recovery, and within three years, he defied the odds, regaining the ability to walk.

Also Read: Dinesh Karthik’s Explosive T20 Comeback: Joins Sharjah Warriorz for ILT20 Glory

Raised in Bahadurgarh, Jhajjar district, with a father in the Indian Army, Kathuniya studied at the Indian Army Public School in Chandigarh and earned a Bachelor’s in Commerce from Kirori Mal College, Delhi. His athletic career has since soared, though the “silver curse” lingers. “For six or seven years, silver has been my shadow,” he quipped. “But I’m not chasing gold out of pressure anymore—I’m just enjoying the journey. My time will come.”

The F56 event, where athletes throw from custom frames secured by straps, demands precision. Kathuniya noted a challenge: “The officials were strict with the belt—it was too tight, costing me 3-4 meters.” Such restrictions limit movement, critical in seated throws where athletes have six minutes for six attempts, and any lower-body movement risks a foul.

Kathuniya also reflected on the rise of para sports in India. “Years ago, financial support and opportunities were scarce. Now, sponsors are stepping up, and the future looks bright. Para-athletes need empathy, not sympathy, and I’m glad society is embracing that shift,” he said.

The Championships saw other dazzling performances. Saudi Arabia’s Naif Almasrahi smashed the men’s 100m T44 world record with a blistering 10.94 seconds. “I aimed for 11 seconds, but my rival pushed me to go faster,” he said, praising the top-notch track and familiar heat akin to Saudi Arabia. Championships records also fell in the men’s 200m T35 (Neutral Para Athlete David Dzhatiev), 400m T20 (Spain’s David Jose Pineda Mejia), and 400m T54 (Tunisia’s Yassine Gharbi). Gharbi’s win marked a triumphant return after a 2020 doping ban sidelined him for years, including a medal-less Paris 2024.

Kathuniya’s silver, while not the gold he dreams of, is a testament to his unbreakable spirit. With every throw, he edges closer to that ultimate prize, carrying the hopes of a nation and the love of a family that never gave up on him.

Also Read: Saudi Arabia Joins Cricket League with Game-Changing ILT20 Rule for All Teams