Nitesh Kumar Celebrates Success at Asian Para Games

Nitesh Kumar celebrated his success at the Asian Para Games, winning a gold and silver medal, while India achieved a record-breaking total of 114 medals. Debutants like Sanjana Kumari and Abhijeet Sakhuja also expressed pride in their performances. The Indian contingent, though smaller than in previous years, delivered outstanding results, surpassing their previous medal tally. This article explores the athletes' experiences and aspirations for future competitions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 26, 2026, 09:55 IST

Nitesh Kumar Reflects on Asian Para Games Success

Indian Paralympic athlete Nitesh Kumar shared his joy over winning two medals at the Asian Para Games, highlighting his participation in two finals and his improved performance compared to previous events. He clinched a gold in the men's SL3 singles and a silver alongside Thulasimathi Murugesan in the mixed SL3-SU5 event. Overall, India achieved a total of 16 medals in para-badminton, including three golds, five silvers, and eight bronzes.

Debutants Make Their Mark

Several first-time participants at the Asian Para Games expressed their excitement about their performances and their commitment to future competitions. Sanjana Kumari, who won bronze in women's singles SL3, stated, "Winning a medal for my country fills me with pride. Competing in my first Asian Para Games is a significant achievement. The competition was fierce, and I dedicate this medal to my family and coach Gaurav Khanna. I am grateful to the Sports Authority of India for their support."

Abhijeet Sakhuja, who earned a bronze in men's SL4 singles, remarked, "This being my debut at the Asian Games is a source of great happiness for me. Despite the challenges, I remained focused on each match and point. I owe this medal to my family, whose support has been invaluable."

Future Aspirations for Athletes

Suryakant Yadav, who secured bronze in the men's doubles SL3-SU5 category, expressed his determination to improve in future competitions. He stated, "This was my first experience at the Asian Games, and it feels amazing. I aim to perform even better next time. I dedicate this medal to my family and friends who have supported me. Having won medals at both the Asian and World Championships, my next goal is the Los Angeles Paralympics."

India's Record-Breaking Campaign

India wrapped up its participation in the Asian Para Games 2026 with a historic total of 114 medals, which included 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze. The country's para-athletes achieved remarkable performances, setting world records and achieving historic wins across various sports. This tally surpassed the previous edition's total of 108 medals, which included 27 golds, 32 silvers, and 49 bronzes. Notably, India had initially won 111 medals in the last edition, but three were later revoked due to doping violations involving Neeraj Yadav and Parveen.

The performance in Aichi-Nagoya was particularly impressive, given that the Indian contingent was smaller than in previous years, with 168 para-athletes participating in 2026 compared to 309 in Hangzhou.