06-08-2025
10 Strong Team To Take On 2025 World Para Athletics Champs
Athletics New Zealand has confirmed a ten-strong team to compete at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India, from September 27 to October 5.
The selection follows a strong showing by Kiwi athletes at the 2024 World Championships in Kobe, Japan, where New Zealand secured multiple podium finishes and national records across track and field events. Danielle Aitchison's incredible World Record over the 200m T36 highlighted the 2024 championships.
The team heading to New Delhi includes an electric mix of Paralympic and World Championship medallists and exciting debutants, all aiming to build on the momentum of last year. The ten-strong contingent is the largest team selected for a World Para Athletics Champs since 2019.
This year's Championships mark the first time India will host the event, with more than 1,000 athletes expected to compete across 186 medal events at New Delhi's iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the host of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
2024 Paralympic Champion Anna Grimaldi was thrilled to be back in the black singlet in 2025.
"We have such a cool team, and it's going to be so nice to be back together, especially with our new additions. I can't wait to get to India, to meet everyone and to soak up the heat.'
Our team will be spending some time ahead of the championships in the warmer climate of Darwin, Australia. The pre-camp will be a prime opportunity for the team to acclimate to the hot, average 34c days forecasted in New Delhi before transitioning into the championship environment.
Today's final team announcement sees a multiple-time world champion selected for the team. Lisa Adams joins the team, lining up in the Women's Shot Put F37. Adams has previously won two Para Athletics world titles and the gold at the Tokyo Paralympics. She is also the current owner of the world shot put F37 record.
Athletics NZ Chief Executive Cam Mitchell said the team reflects the strength and depth of the Para athletics programme.
'We're incredibly proud of this team. It brings together our most experienced international medallists with emerging athletes making their debut at the World Para Athletics Champs. We're confident this team will not only perform with distinction in New Delhi, but inspire future generations across Aotearoa.'
Full Athletics New Zealand team for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships:
Anna Grimaldi | Coach: Mikey Jacobs
Women's 100m T47 & 200m T47
Danielle Aitchison | Coach: Alan McDonald
Women's 100m T36 & 200m T36
Holly Robinson | Coach: Raylene Bates
Women's Shot Put F46
Joe Smith | Coach: Matt Beckenham
Men's 100m T37
Lisa Adams | Coach: Kim Mickle
Women's Shot Put F37
Michael Whittaker | Coach: Vaughan Craddock
Men's 5000m T13 (Debut)
Mitch Joynt | Coach Nick Cowan
Men's 100m T64, 200m T64
Paddy Walsh | Coach: Mitch Joynt
Women's Long Jump T64 (Debut)
Sarah James | Coach: Blanche Herbert
Women's 100m T53, 400m T53m, 800m T53 (Debut)
Will Stedman | Coach: James Sandilands
400m T36, Long Jump T36
