The second day of the IndianOil 2025 World Para Athletics Championships saw the F20 Men’s Long Jump light up the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium with world-class performances and record-breaking feats.

The event featured a stellar lineup — World Record holder and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medalist Latif Romly (MAS), Paralympic champion Matvei Iakushev (NPA), Paris 2024 bronze medalist Jhon Sebastian Obando Asprilla (COL), and Virtus ambassador Lenine Cunha (POR) — all battling for a place on the podium.

From the very first attempt, Malaysian star Latif Romly stamped his authority. Soaring to 7.61m, he shattered the championship record previously held by Ranki Oberoi from 2019. Romly then went one step further, rewriting history by breaking his own seven-year-old World Record (7.64m) with a massive 7.67m jump. The superstar is expecting a baby soon and dedicated his medal to his wife and their soon-to-arrive child.

Thrilled by his performance, Romly told Virtus,

“I’m very satisfied with my performance today because I was able to break two records (Championship and World record) here in New Delhi. I would like to dedicate this medal to my wife and my children. Balancing training and giving time to my wife and baby, which is coming soon, both are important, and the key is discipline.”

Behind him, Saudi Arabia’s Hassan Dawshi produced a strong 7.20m leap to secure second place, while Roberto Carlos Chala of Colombia clinched his first-ever World Championship medal, silver, with a personal best of 7.36m. His third attempt sealed the bronze, marking a career milestone. Hassan won silver at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Matvei Iakushev (NPA), renowned for his unpredictable and explosive style, secured the bronze medal after a dramatic turnaround. Failing to clear his first two attempts, he kept the crowd on edge before making a strong comeback in his third jump with 6.97m. He then pushed further in his fourth attempt, registering a season’s best of 7.22m — enough to climb the rankings and claim the bronze.

Colombian jumper Jhon Sebastian Obando Asprilla reached 6.81m on his first attempt, ranking himself in the top three early in the contest before eventually finishing outside the medals.

Veteran athlete Lenine Cunha of Portugal, a proud Virtus ambassador, finished eighth but left the field with immense pride. At 42 years old, he shared,

“I am 42 years old now and finished 8th out of 15 best athletes. This is a gold medal for me. I hope Virtus friends can see me and be inspired because it’s never too late to try. I missed the Paralympic Games qualification time last year, but now I am here ranking 8th, so never give up.”

Reflecting on the competition, Cunha praised the rising talents:

“The competition is very strong. There are so many new athletes, from South Korea, from the Philippines, and there is a new guy from Portugal, too. This is good for both Para Athletics and Virtus.”

The F20 Men’s Long Jump not only crowned a new world record holder but also showcased the depth, spirit, and resilience of para athletics on the grand stage of New Delhi.

Full results can be viewed from here.

In a landmark moment for Indian sports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that the IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships would reaffirm India’s image as a “sporting and inclusive” nation. The grand opening ceremony took place on 25th September at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Welcoming the 2,200 competitors from more than 100 nations, PM Modi remarked:

“By breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks, para athletes have played a vital role in strengthening India’s identity as a rising sporting hub, motivating millions to embrace sports as a way of life.”

India now joins Qatar (2015), UAE (2019), and Japan (2024) as the fourth Asian nation to host the prestigious event, organised by the Paralympics Committee of India.

Expressing pride in hosting the championship, Smt. Rekha Gupta, Prime Minister of New Delhi said:

“Sport has a great way of connecting people, transcending all barriers of religion, region and nationality. In today’s world, it is all the more important to emphasise this unifying aspect of sport. I am sure the WPAC will have a similar impact on all the participants and spectators.”

Kangana Ranaut (MP), Rashmi Govil (Representative from Indian Oil), Hari Ranjan Rao IAS (Sports Secretary), Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya (Sports Minister), Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Paul Fitzgerald (Head of WPA). Photo Credit: Paralympic Committee of India

The vibrant opening event was attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Smt. Raksha Khadse, Delhi Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta, MP Smt. Kangana Ranaut, Delhi Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood, and World Para Athletics President Mr Paul Fitzgerald.

WPAC 2025 is the first international event to be staged on the brand-new Mondo track at the Nehru Stadium. The track — identical to the one used at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and designed in shades of blue — was inaugurated by Dr Mandaviya on August 29, National Sports Day. Alongside, a Mondo warm-up track and a multi-speciality gym capable of accommodating 200 athletes at once were also unveiled.

Cultural program showcasing different dance forms of India. Photo Credit: PCI

Dr Mandaviya, who declared the championships open, highlighted India’s largest-ever contingent: “For India, these world para athletics championships are about pride, progress, and purpose. We have assembled our largest-ever para contingent of 74 athletes, a testament to how deeply para-sports have taken root in the country. Champions such as Sumit Antil, Preethi Pal, Deepthi Jeevanji, Dharambir Nain, and Praveen Kumar will compete on home ground.”

The competition begins on September 27, with 186 gold medals at stake. Mr Fitzgerald noted,

“Spectators inside the stadium and a global audience around the world will experience the brilliance of the athletes competing in newly renovated facilities designed to maximise their skill, speed and strength. Yes, world records will be broken. Yes, world champions will be crowned. But not every athlete will achieve their dream of being on the podium with their national anthem playing. There will be many triumphs but also many disappointments. I invite everyone to experience all of the emotions with the athletes.”

The championships also mark India’s growing ambition to host major global sporting events. Dr Mandaviya revealed, “We are deep into planning for the Commonwealth Games 2030, and we have our eyes set on hosting the Olympic Games in 2036 with ambitions that will accelerate infrastructure, opportunity, and the sporting dreams of countless youth. As the Prime Minister has said, ‘Sport not only creates champions; it also promotes peace, progress and wellness.’ That is the guiding light of our sporting journey.”

He further emphasised the broader impact of WPAC and said, “Yet beyond infrastructure or ambition lies a deeper legacy: a transformed mind-set. We will leave behind accessible venues, stronger support systems for para-athletes, and a renewed national conversation around equal opportunity in sport. These are the true outcomes that will endure long after the medals have been awarded.”

India’s para athletes, including Paralympic medallists and world champions, are expected to thrive on home soil. At the Kobe edition in 2024, India delivered its best-ever WPAC performance with 17 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, 6 bronze), finishing sixth overall. The 2023 Paris championships had already seen a record 10 medals (3 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze), laying the groundwork for this moment.

PM Modi hailed their resilience, “The remarkable performances of para athletes have redefined the meaning of resilience and determination, inspiring both sportspersons and common people across the world. Their achievements have ignited a collective belief that no challenge is impossible to overcome.”

Athletes with an intellectual impairment will be competing in T20 and F20 events: 400m, 1500m, Shot-put, Long jump and in a new track event, T20 800m. Star athletes like Maksym Koval (UKR), Yuliia Shuliar (UKR), Aysel Onder (TUR), Deepthi Jeevanji (IND), Ben Sandilands (GBR), Barbara Bieganowska-Zajac (POL), Abdul Latif Romly (MAL), Karolina Kucharczyk-Urbanska (POL), along with many others, will be making their appearance at New Delhi 2025.

More information can be found on the event website.

The second day of the 2025 Toyota World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore was packed with world-class performances and record-breaking swims.

Australia’s Benjamin Hance set the tone by smashing his own World Record in the Men’s 100m Backstroke S14. Improving on his previous mark of 56.35s, Hance clocked an incredible 55.99s, securing gold and reaffirming his dominance.

The battle for silver and bronze was just as intense, with Brazil’s Gabriel Bandeira edging out Great Britain’s William Ellard. Bandeira touched in 58.37s for silver, while Ellard settled for bronze at 58.95s.

(L-R) Winners of S14 100m Backstroke, Georgia, Poppy and Bethany. Photo Credit: World Para Swimming

In the women’s events, British swimmers once again showcased their strength with a podium sweep in the S14 100m Backstroke. Poppy Maskill claimed her second gold of the championships in 1:05.09, setting a new Championship Record. She was closely followed by Bethany Firth (1:05.54) and Georgia Sheffield (1:06.27), underlining Britain’s remarkable depth in this category.

Day 3 – Thrills in the Breaststroke Finals

Naohide Yamaguchi posing after his record-breaking race at Bangkok 2025. Photo Credit: Virtus

The third day delivered high drama in the 100m Breaststroke events.

In the men’s race, Japan’s Naohide Yamaguchi defended his unbeaten streak, securing another championship title with a new Championship Record of 1:03.36. Australia’s Jake Michel pushed him to the limit, finishing just 0.15s behind. The fight for bronze was equally gripping, with Great Britain’s Harry Stewart narrowly defeating Canada’s Nicholas Bennett. Stewart clocked 1:04.04, edging Bennett by just 0.86 microseconds.

In the women’s race, Brazilians dominated the podium. Rising star, Araujo Flausino, had a smooth win, winning her first gold medal from Singapore 2025, while Débora Carneiro faced a tight contest with Great Britain’s Olivia Newman. Débora held on in the final stretch, securing silver by just 0.55 microseconds, leaving Newman to take bronze.

Day 2 and 3 in Singapore highlighted the best of Para swimming: record-breaking performances, nail-biting finishes, and extraordinary displays of resilience and rivalry on the world stage.

Full results can be accessed from here.

Virtus, in collaboration with the Dominican Paralympic Committee (COPADOM), CRESO, and the Americas Paralympic Committee (AmPC), proudly hosted “United for Change” as part of a landmark three-day Paralympic Sports Festival and Inclusion Fair in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from September 11–13, 2025.

The event brought together 153 accredited participants from 31 countries in the region, who engaged in high-level training on eligibility, classification, sports management, and leadership development led by Virtus experts.

Over three days, participants took part in sessions on eligibility and classification for athletes with intellectual impairments, delivered by Prof. Jan Burns MBE, Head of Eligibility at Virtus, alongside workshops in sports administration and management, led by Virtus Secretary General Barry Holman, Virtus Americas President Humberto Ferreira, and Patricia Giampa.

Prof. Jan Burns MBE highlighted the transformative nature of the gathering.

“It is a great privilege to be at the United for Inclusion event here in the Dominican Republic. Many thanks to the sponsors and organisers for creating such a groundbreaking event. We had over 153 delegates from 31 countries learning about eligibility and classification for athletes with intellectual impairments. The event is living up to its name, with all participants committed to ensuring that everyone—no matter their disabilities—has the opportunity to succeed in sport and in life.”

Participants from 31 countries in the Americas region are attending #UnitedForInclusion. Photo Credit: Americas Paralympic Committee

The significance of the event was further underscored by the presence of Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), who praised Virtus’ efforts and reaffirmed the IPC’s commitment to athletes with an intellectual impairment. Emphasising the global importance of increasing athlete participation, Andrew said,

“It is very important for me to be here today to be part of the history of the Americas, for Virtus and for II athletes. Athletes with an intellectual impairment exist and are important for the International Paralympic Committee and for the Paralympic Movement. They are a fundamental part of the IPC. We will continue working closely with Virtus to ensure more eligible II athletes can participate in more sports, across both the Summer and Winter Games.”

Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee, with delegates at United For Change. Photo Credit: Americas Paralympic Committee

The program opened with a vibrant welcome ceremony and a special presentation from CRESO, and concluded with the Paralympic Sports Festival and Inclusion Fair on September 13, showcasing both the athletic talent and the inclusive spirit that defined the event.

Sharing the success of the #UnitedForInclusion event, Michele Formonte, CEO of Americas Paralympic Committee said,

“United for Inclusion has shown that when 31 nations come together with a shared purpose, inclusion stops being an ideal and becomes concrete action. Thanks to Virtus, today we take a giant step so that every athlete with an intellectual disability in the Americas can find a clear path to high-performance sport and, above all, to a life full of opportunities.”

By combining training, celebration, and collaboration, United for Change marked a milestone moment in the Americas. The initiative not only strengthened the capacity of National Paralympic Committees but also reinforced Virtus’ mission to expand opportunities for athletes with intellectual impairments, ensuring their rightful place at the heart of the global Paralympic Movement.

Virtus is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Suzie Lemmey and Dr. Mohammad Hadi Hadizadeh as our new Eligibility Managers, strengthening our eligibility system for athletes with an intellectual impairment.

The Eligibility Manager role is central to the delivery of Virtus’ athlete eligibility process. Working alongside the Head of Eligibility and the Eligibility Committee, Suzie and Hadi will ensure that Virtus continues to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and athlete support.

Both Suzie and Hadi have been working with Virtus voluntarily and with athletes with an intellectual impairment for more than a decade now, and will be adding great value to the Virtus management team.

Suzie Lemmey

Dr. Suzie has been part of Virtus voluntarily for nearly a decade, playing an instrumental role in establishing the II2 group in 2016 during her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. She went on to contribute to the Eligibility Panel and, from January 2023, served as a Lead Eligibility Officer. She now steps into her new joint role as Eligibility Manager with a focus on building and maintaining the II1 and II2 groups, while also developing and delivering eligibility education.

Beyond Virtus, Suzie is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with the NHS in London, UK, where she works to promote inclusion for people with intellectual impairments and neurodivergent individuals. She also volunteers as an II Classifier with World Para Swimming, gaining first-hand insight into the impact of fair eligibility on athletes competing globally.

Outside of her professional life, Suzie enjoys long countryside walks with her German Shepherd, Storm.

“I’m delighted to be appointed, jointly with Hadi, as the Virtus Eligibility Manager. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next few years will bring us as we can dedicate our time and passion to this essential part of disability sport”, said Suzie.

Dr. Mohammad Hadi Hadizadeh

Dr. Mohammad Hadi Hadizadeh is a licensed psychologist with a PhD in Psychology, specialising in clinical assessment and sport psychology. Since 2016, he has supported athletes and individuals with disabilities through clinical practice, assessment, and applied sport psychology. He has served as an eligibility expert for his national federation, contributed to classification decisions, and previously managed the Sports Psychology Committee for the National Paralympic Committee.

His experience spans consulting for multiple para sports, including Football 5-a-Side, Track and Field, Judo, Rowing, Archery, and Tennis, where he emphasises mental resilience and performance optimisation.

Since 2014, Hadi has been a registered psychologist and, since 2018, has served as an International Intellectual Impairment (II) Classifier, as well as a member of the Virtus Eligibility Panel for II3. He brings deep expertise in evidence-based practice, ethical care, and assessment standards, ensuring fairness and consistency in athlete classification worldwide.

“I am dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and contributing to advancing assessment standards in the field. My work with Virtus will allow me to combine my expertise in psychology with my passion for sport and inclusion”, said Dr. Hadi.

Their responsibilities include advising on eligibility policy and best practice, managing eligibility panels, supporting athlete assessments, liaising with National Eligibility Officers worldwide, and ensuring compliance with the IPC Classification Code. They will also play a vital role in strengthening partnerships with International Federations to support eligibility processes across sports.

Their combined expertise will help ensure that athletes with intellectual impairments can continue to compete on a fair and equal basis, with opportunities to shine on the world stage.

Virtus congratulates Suzie and Hadi on their appointments and looks forward to the impact they will make in shaping the future of eligibility in sport.