With world record holder Vanessa Low leading the charge and Paralympic medallists Michal Burian, Jaryd Clifford, Chad Perris and Mali Lovell waiting in the wings, the stage is set for the biggest day of Australia’s 2025 World Para Athletics Championships campaign in New Delhi.
There is arguably no greater show in global Para-athletics than Australia’s own Low (ACT, Scott Reardon, T61) who sailed to Paralympic gold at Paris 2024 and a new world record of 5.71m in the Long Jump T61 earlier this year, but what will New Delhi bring?
The first step will be to defend her 2024 world title won in Kobe before turning her attention to her own lofty personal goal of chasing the six-metre barrier, with the trailblazer setting her sights on winning back-to-back world titles for the first time in her career.
“The Paralympic sport doesn’t happen just once every four years, I really want to take this opportunity to jump big and show the world what para sport can do,” Low said.
“I think the six-metre marker is possible with a brand new Mondo track in India and hot weather. I think we could be there this year but if not, I will give it another crack next year, but this is a great shot to do it.”
Paralympic icon Jaryd Clifford (VIC, Philo Saunders, T12) will look to start the gold rush early when contesting the 1500m T13 in the morning session, eager to reassert himself on top of the Para-athletics landscape.
The vision-impaired middle-distance maestro says the heartbreak of Paris 2024 has well and truly passed and he is ready to chase his first global title since 2019 where he won both the 1500m and 5000m T13 as a 20-year-old.
“It was good to get the nerves out, with my vision it’s good to get out there before the big dance. Some of those guys are pretty good, I wasn’t quite ready to fire in the last lap just yet, but I think the final is going to be decent,” Clifford said.
“Today is going to be a huge day for Australian Para-athletics, but this entire championships is massive. It shows the power of investing in the youth because when it comes to LA and Brisbane, they are going to be so much better for this opportunity.”
Affectionately known as The White Tiger, Chad Perris (ACT, Matt Beckenham, T13) is ready to roar in New Delhi, coiling into the blocks for the 100m T13 where he will be out to return to the global podium for the first time since 2019.
Australia’s fastest Paralympian owns a 10.65-second personal best and was the fastest qualifier for today’s final in 10.86 (-0.6), making his goals clear post-race:
“It’s going to be a challenge but I’m up for it. I’m here to win, that’s what we’re here for. My roommate Michal Burian is also on tonight, so hopefully it’s a big one,” Perris said.
Paralympic medallist Michal Burian (VIC, Dale Stevenson, F44) will take on the Javelin Throw F44, with the class splitting from a combined affair in Paris last year only bolstering his hopes.
Burian has largely delivered when it counts as a consistent performer for Australia at major championships, including silver at the Tokyo Paralympics and bronze in Paris, edging slowly back towards his former world record of 66.29m.
Adding to the sprinting action will be Paralympic medallist Mali Lovell (NSW, Katie Edwards, T36) who takes on the 100m T36 alongside Abby Craswell (QLD, Paul Pearce, T36) and Kirra Wirght (VIC, Craig Chapman and Jo Kampf, T36) – with national record holder Lovell looking to upgrade her fourth-place finish from last year’s Paralympic Games.
Rounding out the finals action will be wheelchair racer Sam Carter (ACT, Fred Periac, T54) who was outstanding in qualifying for the 400m T54 final in a notoriously tough class, while Jackson Love (NSW, Andrew Iselin, T35) will run pressure-free in the 200m T35 final after setting a new Australian record in qualifying.
The 2025 World Para Athletics Championships are being held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India from September 27 – October 5.
Australian viewers can tune in live and free via the Paralympic Games YouTube channel from 1:30pm AEST.
By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 30/09/2025
