India Shines at Asian Para Games with Multiple Medals
Para-Swimming Achievements
Himanshu Nandal, a para-swimmer, brought home a bronze medal for India in the men's 400 m freestyle S11 category during the Asian Games on Tuesday. This achievement marks India's second medal in para-swimming at this event, as he finished third in a four-man final with a time of 5:10.91. He trailed behind Japan's Uchu Tomita, who won silver, by 32 seconds, and gold medalist Chuanzhen Sun from China, who set a new Asian record, by 45 seconds.
Earlier, Ravi Karthik Budigina earned a silver medal in the men’s 100 m freestyle S13 event but finished sixth in the men's 400 m freestyle S13 with a time of 5:41.70. With these performances, India's medal tally at the Asian Para Games now stands at 24, comprising five golds, eight silvers, and eleven bronzes.
Archery Team Aims for Gold
In the para compound archery doubles event, the duo of Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag secured a spot in the gold medal match for India. They triumphed over Thailand’s Phannibha Srathongmaew and Wasana Khuthawisap with a score of 151–135, setting up a final showdown against China.
"INDIA’S ARCHERS AIM FOR GOLD! Para Compound Women Doubles - Semifinal India is assured of another medal at the #AsianParaGames2026! TOPS athlete Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag delivered a dominant performance, defeating Thailand’s Phannibha Srathongmaew and Wasana Khuthawisap by 151–135 to storm into the FINAL! The ultimate showdown awaits! The Indian duo will face China in the GOLD MEDAL MATCH on 21 October from 5:55 AM IST onwards, aiming to turn this assured medal into GOLD! #Cheer4Bharat #AsianParaGames2026 #ParaArchery #TeamIndia #MedalAssured," posted SAI Media.
Shooting Success
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Medals in Table Tennis and Powerlifting
In para-table tennis, Jehan Madan won a silver medal in men's singles class 1, finishing fourth in his group. Despite only beating compatriot Sandeep Dangi, his performance was enough to secure a medal.
Ashok also earned a silver medal in the men's 65 kg para-powerlifting category, achieving a best lift of 192 kg, finishing behind China's Zou Yi, who lifted 216 kg.
India concluded day one of the competition with a total of 11 medals, including four golds, five silvers, and two bronzes.
Table Tennis Delivers Four Medals
Indian para-table tennis players Baby Sahana Ravi and Prachi Pandey both secured bronze medals in the women's singles Class 9 and Class 6 events, respectively. Baby Sahana lost 0-3 (8-11, 2-11, 4-11) to China's Mao Jingdian in the semi-finals, marking India's first medal in the standing category of para table tennis at the Asian Para Games.
Prachi Pandey also claimed bronze after losing her semi-final match to Iraq's Najlah Al-Dayyeni in straight games, 9-11, 2-11, and 8-11.
With these victories, India achieved four medals in para table tennis on the same day. Earlier, Bhavina Patel secured a bronze medal after a 3-0 defeat to China's Zhang Bian in the Women's Singles Class 4-5 semi-finals. Patel, a silver medallist at the 2020 Paralympics, exited the singles competition after a 7-11, 5-11, 7-11 defeat.
Sonalben Patel also earned a bronze in the women's singles Class 3 event after losing her semi-final against South Korea's Yoon Jiyu in straight games, 7-11, 5-11, 6-11.
Athletics Achievements
In addition to the four medals in para table tennis, Pradeep Kumar won silver, and Ayush Verma secured bronze in the men's javelin throw F53/F54 event. Praveen Sharma added another bronze in the men's shot put F11 event.
The highlight of the day was Indian para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji, who clinched gold in the women's 400m T20 event with a record-setting time of 56.36 seconds.