Danielle Aitchison celebrates winning gold for New Zealand in the 100m T36 final at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi. Photo: Michael Thomas / Athletics New Zealand

Danielle Aitchison has won gold for New Zealand in the 100m T36 final at the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, taking New Zealand’s medal tally at the games to three.

Aitchison’s run saw her go one better than last year in Kobe, Japan at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships.

She finished in second last year behind long standing rival, Shi of China.

Her time of 13.43s came within a whisker of her own PB of 13.41s and within 0.1s of the world record held by Shi of 13.35.

Aitchison came out of the blocks strong with the Kiwi clear of the field early on as she powered down the straight for a dominant display of para sprinting.

Mali Lovell made it an Oceania 1,2, as she finished in silver for Australia with a 14.56s clocking.

Veronica Hipolito of Brazil rounded out the medals in bronze with 14.77s.

The 24-year-old crossed the line with a wide smile.

Aitchison now turns her attention to the 200m T36 later in the competition in which she currently holds the world record for her classification.

Will Stedman yesterday won a bronze in the men’s 400m T36 final for New Zealand, following Lisa Adams’ gold in the shot put.

For many, the championships in New Delhi, India are a key stepping stone towards the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

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