Pradeep Somasiri wins Bronze at World Para Athletics Championship 2025

By: Susil Premalal

Sri Lankan para middle-distance runner Pradeep Somasiri brought pride to the nation by winning a bronze medal at the 12th World Para Athletics Championship 2025, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, India.

The championship, which concluded today, featured nearly 200 para athletes, including medallists from the Paralympic Games, Para World Championships, and Asian Para Games, representing countries from across the globe.

Somasiri secured the bronze medal in the Men’s 1500m T46 final, finishing with an impressive time of 3 minutes and 53.77 seconds, which also set a new Asian Para Athletics record.

The gold medal was won by independent para athlete Aleksandr Iaremchuk, who clocked 3:53.26, while France’s Antoine Praud claimed silver with 3:53.62.

This marks the second bronze medal recorded by the Sri Lankan team at the championship, which consisted of five athletes — four men and one woman.

Earlier, Nuwan Indika had also secured a bronze medal in the Men’s T44 long jump event.

Somasiri’s achievement adds to Sri Lanka’s growing reputation in international para athletics and highlights the remarkable determination and skill of the nation’s differently-abled athletes.