Tragic Loss: Asian Para Games Champion Neeraj Yadav Passes Away

The sports community mourns the loss of Neeraj Yadav, a gold medalist at the Asian Para Games, who has reportedly died by suicide. At 42, Yadav faced emotional challenges after missing a recent competition due to a doping suspension. Known for his remarkable achievements in para-athletics, including three gold medals, his passing raises concerns about mental health in sports. As investigations continue, Yadav's legacy as a talented athlete and his struggles highlight the need for support within the sporting community. Read on to learn more about his life and contributions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 28, 2026, 12:14 IST

Neeraj Yadav's Untimely Death

Neeraj Yadav, a gold medalist from the Asian Para Games, has reportedly taken his own life by ingesting poison at his home. A post-mortem is currently being conducted at a hospital in Delhi as of Wednesday.

S Satyanarayana, the head coach of the Indian para-athletics team, confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating that Yadav's body remains at the hospital.

Satyanarayana expressed his sorrow, saying, "Neeraj has died by suicide. It is very unfortunate that such a thing has happened."

The 42-year-old athlete, who participated in the F55 category, was said to be experiencing emotional turmoil after being unable to compete in the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya earlier this month due to a doping ban. The details surrounding his death are still being investigated.

He further commented, "I can't speculate on the exact reason, but I believe that athletes should handle both triumphs and setbacks with grace. It’s tragic that he chose such a drastic measure."

Yadav was one of India's most successful para-athletes, having secured three gold medals at the Asian Para Games: a javelin title in Jakarta in 2018, and golds in both javelin and discus at the 2023 event in Hangzhou.

Diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis at the age of seven, Yadav initially pursued wheelchair tennis before transitioning to para-athletics, where he achieved significant success on the global stage.

He competed in the F55 category, which includes seated field events like shot put, discus, and javelin.