Dutch Athletes Shine on Day 1
New Delhi, India – The Netherlands commenced its campaign at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships with an impressive performance, securing two gold medals on the opening day, September 27, 2025. This strong start placed the Dutch contingent at the forefront of the medal tally during the morning session of the championships, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The two gold medals were earned by Noelle Roorda and Cheyenne Bouthoorn, who delivered standout performances in their respective events.
Roorda and Bouthoorn Claim Gold
Noelle Roorda clinched the gold medal in the Women's Javelin Throw F46 event, achieving a new personal best throw of 43.74 meters. Roorda, a fan of Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra, expressed her dedication, stating, 'I worked so hard this year. The whole season was the best of my life and to winning here is like the cherry on the cake — 10 out of 10.'
Adding to the Netherlands' success, Cheyenne Bouthoorn secured the top spot in the Women's Shot Put F36. Bouthoorn also recorded a personal best, with a throw of 9.62 meters, earning her the world title.
Championship Overview
The IndianOil New Delhi 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, the 12th edition of the event, is being hosted in India for the first time, running from September 27 to October 5, 2025. The championships feature over 1,000 athletes from 104 countries competing across 186 medal events. This prestigious event also serves as a crucial qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Day 1 saw intense competition, with other nations also securing gold medals. China finished the day with the most total medals, including two golds, while Poland, Colombia, Japan, the UAE, and host nation India each claimed a gold. The official mascot for the event is Viraaj, a spirited young elephant, symbolizing strength, optimism, and resilience.
10 Comments
Africa
What incredible athletes! Personal bests on the world stage, truly inspiring.
Habibi
Fantastic news for the Dutch team, and it highlights the competitive spirit of the championships. Still, it's crucial that the narrative doesn't solely focus on medal counts but also on the broader impact on inclusivity and accessibility in sports.
ZmeeLove
While Roorda and Bouthoorn's achievements are phenomenal, I hope this event also brings much-needed attention to the systemic support required for all para-athletes globally.
Comandante
It's great to see the Netherlands doing so well early on, but it's important to remember the incredible efforts of athletes from all 104 nations competing.
Bella Ciao
Amazing start for the Netherlands! So proud of Roorda and Bouthoorn!
dedus mopedus
These personal bests are truly inspiring and show immense dedication. However, the article could have delved more into the individual journeys and challenges these athletes overcome daily.
ytkonos
Is this really 'news'? Just a recap of medal counts, where's the deeper story?
lettlelenok
Seems a bit premature to celebrate based on just two golds on day one. Long way to go.
Eugene Alta
Another sports article focusing on only one nation. What about the other 103 countries?
Aidguy
This is fantastic news for Para Athletics! The championships are off to a brilliant start.