Indian Para-Athletes Shine at Asian Para Games 2026 with Historic Wins
Celebrating Medal Achievements
On Tuesday, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya extended his congratulations to Indian para-athletes Simran, Tejalben Damor, Devender Kumar, Rakesh, Pradeep Kumar, Nishad Kumar, and Niranjan Mukundan for their outstanding performances on Day 3 of the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
In a message shared on X, Mandaviya praised Simran for clinching the gold medal and setting a new Games Record in the women's 200m T12 event. He also recognized Tejalben Damor, a newcomer, for winning bronze in the same race. "DOUBLE PODIUM IN 200M! Heartfelt congratulations to Simran for achieving Gold with a New Games Record of 24.80s, and to debutant Tejalben Damor for securing Bronze in 25.23s in the Women’s 200m T12 at the Asian Para Games 2026," the Sports Minister stated.
Historic Podium Sweep in Discus Throw
Mandaviya celebrated India's remarkable achievement in the men's discus throw, where Devender Kumar took home gold, Rakesh earned silver, and Pradeep Kumar secured bronze. "HISTORIC PODIUM SWEEP FOR BHARAT! Total dominance in the Men’s Discus Throw at the Asian Para Games 2026! Congratulations to Devender Kumar for Gold (49.71m), Rakesh for Silver (49.35m), and Pradeep Kumar for Bronze with a personal best of 51.15m," he remarked.
Nishad Kumar's Record-Breaking Performance
The minister also commended Nishad Kumar for winning his second gold medal of the Games, achieving a new record in the men’s high jump T47 event with a height of 2.04 meters. "SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS! Heartfelt congratulations to TOPS athlete Nishad Kumar on clinching his second Gold of the Asian Para Games 2026! Clearing an impressive 2.04m in the Men’s High Jump T47, he sets a New Games Record and makes the entire nation proud," Mandaviya added.
Continued Success for Indian Athletes
India's impressive performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 continues, with athletes excelling in various sports including para-athletics, shooting para sport, para-powerlifting, para-table tennis, and para-swimming, while also making strides in para-badminton and para-archery.
In para-athletics, gold medals were secured by Devender Kumar, Pranav Soorma, Simran, Nishad Kumar, and Deepthi Jeevanji. The country also earned silver and bronze in the men’s discus throw, with Rakesh and Pradeep Kumar winning silver and bronze respectively, while Ram Ratan Singh claimed silver in another event. Tejalben Damor won bronze in the women’s 200m T12, Preeti Pal earned silver in the women’s 200m T35, and Pradeep Kumar and Ayush Verma took silver and bronze in the men’s javelin throw F53/F54. Additionally, Praveen Sharma and Hokato Hotozhe Sema added bronze medals in the men’s shot put events.
Medal Count and Future Prospects
In shooting para sport, Manish Narwal won silver in the men’s 10m air pistol SH1, while Shrishti Arora secured bronze in the women’s event. Ashok also won silver in men’s para-powerlifting up to 65kg.
India achieved five bronze medals in para-table tennis through athletes Sonalben Patel, Bhavina Patel, Prachi Pandey, Sahana Ravi, and Jehan Madan.
In para-swimming, Himanshu Nandal won bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle S11, while Niranjan Mukundan secured bronze in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7.
Indian para-badminton players Nitesh Kumar, Pramod Bhagat, Manisha Ramdass, and Sanjana Kumari advanced in their respective quarterfinals. In para-archery, Sheetal Devi and several Indian teams progressed through the knockout rounds, with Sheetal reaching the women’s individual compound final alongside Swati Chaudhary in the W1 category final.
By the end of Day 3, India had amassed a total of 35 medals, including 9 gold.