Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: India’s para-athletes delivered a landmark performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, securing a record-breaking 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze, to register the country’s best-ever campaign at the continental multi-sport event.
The outstanding medal haul reflects India’s growing strength in para-sports, with athletes producing world-record performances, setting new Asian Para Games records and claiming top honours across athletics, badminton, shooting, archery and swimming.
SUMIT ANTIL LEADS INDIA’S PODIUM SWEEP:
India’s dominance was on full display in the men’s javelin throw F42-F44/F61-F64 final, where Sumit Antil clinched gold, Mahendra Gurjar secured silver and Sandip Sanjay Sargar claimed bronze, completing a remarkable Indian podium sweep.
Competing in the T64 category, Sumit, supported under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), produced a best throw of 72.46 metres to secure the gold medal with 1,112 points.
In another outstanding performance, Pranav Soorma won gold in the men’s club throw F51 event with a throw of 32.87 metres, setting a new Asian Para Games record.
India’s success in para-athletics continued as Sandeep Kumar shattered the world record in the men’s 400 metres T44 event, clocking 52.28 seconds to win gold. Ajay Kumar added a bronze medal in the same event.
Haney further strengthened India’s medal tally by winning gold in the men’s javelin throw F37 event with a world-record effort of 60.49 metres.
MONA AGARWAL SETS WORLD RECORD IN SHOOTING:
Indian para-shooter Mona Agarwal produced a stellar performance in the women’s 50-metre rifle three positions SH1 event, winning gold with a world-record score of 357.5 points.
The victory marked her second gold medal of the Games, underlining her consistency and competitive excellence on the continental stage.
BADMINTON STARS POWER INDIA’S GOLD RUSH:
India’s para-badminton contingent delivered a series of impressive performances, adding multiple gold and silver medals to the country’s record tally.
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Girishchandra Joshi clinched the women’s doubles SL3-SU5 title after defeating China’s Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian.
Naveen Sivakumar secured gold in the men’s singles SL4 event, overcoming Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan in the final.
In an all-Indian men’s singles SL3 final, Nitesh Kumar defeated compatriot Pramod Bhagat to win gold, while Pramod took silver.
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Nitesh Kumar also reached the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 final but had to settle for silver after losing to Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani.
INDIA ADDS MEDALS IN SPRINTS AND SWIMMING:
India’s medal-winning campaign extended to the track and swimming pool.
Sandeep secured bronze in the men’s 100 metres T44 event, while Rakeshbhai Bhatt claimed bronze in the men’s 200 metres T37 final, clocking 23.64 seconds.
Para-swimmer Himanshu Nandal added another podium finish by winning bronze in the men’s 100-metre freestyle S11 event.
ARCHERS DELIVER GOLD AND SILVER:
India also made its mark in para-archery, with Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh partnering debutant Vijay Sundi to win gold in the men’s doubles recurve event.
The Indian women’s doubles team secured silver in the recurve competition, further contributing to the country’s impressive medal haul.
A NEW BENCHMARK FOR INDIAN PARA-SPORTS:
With 114 medals, including 30 gold, India’s campaign in Aichi-Nagoya marks a significant milestone in the country’s para-sports journey. World-record performances, podium sweeps and success across multiple disciplines highlighted the depth of talent emerging in the Indian contingent.
The record-breaking achievement reinforces India’s growing presence in international para-sports and sets a new benchmark for future continental and global competitions.
(Image: SAI)
