NEW DELHI, INDIA – Michael Brannigan did it again. Branningan claimed his third world title in the 1500m T20 today in a race that was both tactical and fast. On the penultimate day of the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi and under hot and humid conditions, Brannigan was content to let Japan’s Natsuki Toda set the early pace. Just before the bell, Brannigan made his move. Over the final 400m, he pulled away from Toda winning the gold in 3:50.44, a championship record.
“My strategy is to stay patient and relax,” said Branningan who won his first global gold at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. “Every 100-meters got faster and faster. I was strong out there.”
Justin Phongsavanh placed fourth in the javelin T54 (seated throw). Phongsavanh, the fifth athlete of seven to throw, hit 31.05m to move into the third spot, but was overtaken by Iran’s Efran Bondori Deraznoei, who was up next. Phongsavanh, the 2020 Paralympic bronze medalist, was also fourth at last year’s World Championships and at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
The evening session saw a quick turnaround for Derek Loccident, who last night won a silver medal in the long jump T64. Tonight. Loccident was jumping vertical instead of horizontal, competing in the high jump T64. Loccident cleared 1.91 to finish in fifth.
Tomorrow is the final day of these World Championships with U.S. athletes expected to compete in seven finals.
TOTAL MEDALS (25)
GOLD (5)
Jaydin Blackwell, 100m T38 Joel Gomez, 1500m T13 Jaydin Blackwell, 400m T38 Arelle Middleton, shot put F44 Michael Brannigan, 1500m T20
SILVER (9)
Ezra Frech, high jump T63 Ryan Medrano, 100m T38 Samantha Heyison, discus F44 Jessica Heim, discus F44 Taylor Swanson, 100m T37 Annie Carey, 100m T44 Max Rohn, discus T64 Josh Cinnamo, shot put T46 Derek Loccident, long jump T64
BRONZE (11)
Jaleen Roberts, long jump T37 Katie Hwang, shot put F36 Kym Crosby, 100m T13 Alicia Guerrero, discus F64 Kym Crosby, 200m T13 Noelle Lambert-Beirne, long jump T63 Alicia Guerrero, shot put F64 Beatriz Hatz, long jump T64 Roderick Townsend, T47, high jump Hannah Dederick, 400m T54 Jarryd Wallace, long jump T64