Anna Grimaldi of New Zealand celebrates after winning bronze during the Women's 100m T47 Final at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
New Zealand will be represented by 10 athletes at the World Para Athletics Championships in India next month - marking the biggest contingient Aotearoa has selected for this event in six years.
The team heading to New Delhi includes Paralympic and World Championship medallists and three debutants, all aiming to build on the momentum of last year's results.
The selection follows a strong showing by Kiwi athletes at the 2024 World Championships in Japan, where New Zealand secured multiple podium finishes and national records across track and field events.
The 10-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 1000 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."
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."
The games will run from 27 September to 5 October.
Full Athletics New Zealand team for the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships:
- Anna Grimaldi - Women's 100m T47 & 200m T47
- Danielle Aitchison - Women's 100m T36 & 200m T36
- Holly Robinson - Women's Shot Put F46
- Joe Smith - Men's 100m T37
- Lisa Adams - Women's Shot Put F37
- Michael Whittaker - Men's 5000m T13 (Debut)
- Mitch Joynt - Men's 100m T64, 200m T64
- Paddy Walsh - Women's Long Jump T64 (Debut)
- Sarah James - Women's 100m T53, 400m T53m, 800m T53 (Debut)
- Will Stedman - 400m T36, Long Jump T36
