Brazil’s Thalita Simplicio won her fourth consecutive T11 400m title at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, strengthening her status as the most decorated athlete in the event’s history.
The 26-year-old, who previously took gold in 2019, 2023 and 2024, now owns four world titles in the 400m, along with two world silvers in the T11 200m and bronzes in both the 200m and 400m.
At the Paralympic Games, Simplicio has collected silver medals in the 200m, 400m and 4x100m relay.
“This year has been mentally very difficult,” Simplicio said. “Only God and the people closest to me know how much I have struggled. This medal is not just a medal – it reflects my character, my personality, and everything I’ve endured.”
Simplicio said the challenges of 2025, where she wrestled with exhaustion, mental strain, and the crushing pressure of expectations, forced her to reassess her approach to the sport.
“Many times I felt like I had lost control. Honestly, I needed a break,” she said. “Life felt messy, and I kept pushing myself without pause. Honestly, I needed a break – but athletes rarely give themselves that chance.
“Now, after this win, I won’t demand more from myself than I can give. This medal tells me I can finally breathe again.”
She added that the result marked the start of a new cycle with an eye on the LA 2028 Paralympics.
“I have time until 2028 to put everything in order – grow as a person, improve as a professional. I want balance. That’s what this medal means: it’s not just proof of performance, it’s proof that I can rebuild myself.”