Prachi Pandey Makes History with Bronze at Asian Para Games 2026
Historic Win for Indian Para Table Tennis
In a remarkable achievement for Indian Para Table Tennis, Prachi Pandey, a Khelo India athlete training at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence (SAI NCoE) in Gandhinagar, has secured the Bronze Medal in Women's Singles Class 6 at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
'A Dream Come True': Prachi Pandey
Reflecting on her monumental success, Prachi expressed, "Winning a medal for India at my first Asian Para Games is a dream come true and an incredibly proud moment for me. My journey from being a software engineer to standing on the podium has been filled with challenges, sacrifices, and determination. I am immensely thankful to the Sports Authority of India, the Khelo India programme, and SAI NCoE Gandhinagar for their unwavering support, excellent training facilities, and international exposure that have propelled me to this point. I also owe my gratitude to my coaches, the sports science team, and everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. This medal is a testament to our collective efforts, motivating me to aim even higher and bring more accolades to our nation."
A Historic Campaign
Making her debut at these prestigious continental Games, the 33-year-old, currently ranked World No. 17, achieved India's first-ever medal in this event, marking a significant milestone for Indian Para Table Tennis. Prachi's impressive journey included reaching the semifinals, where she faced Iraq’s World No. 5, Najlah Al-Dayyeni, the reigning Paralympic and Asian Para Games champion. Her podium finish against a highly competitive international field highlights her growing prominence on the global stage and years of dedicated preparation.
From Tech to Table Tennis: An Inspiring Transformation
Originating from Uttar Pradesh, Prachi's path to international sporting success is a remarkable tale of determination and resilience. An M.Tech graduate from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, she worked as a full-stack software developer from 2020 to 2023 before committing to Para Table Tennis full-time. Despite facing challenges due to a progressive neurological condition, she has firmly established herself among India's top para paddlers.
Career Milestones
Prachi has had an outstanding domestic career, clinching national titles and maintaining an impressive record in Indian Para Table Tennis. She won gold medals at the National Para Table Tennis Championships in 2022 and 2023, and triumphed at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games in 2023, repeating her success in the 2025 edition. Her international career is equally commendable; since earning her first International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) medal at the 2023 Brazilian Para Open, she has amassed 12 medals in ITTF ranking tournaments, including four silver and eight bronze medals. Recent highlights include a silver at the 2026 ITTF World Para Future Gold Coast and bronze medals at the 2026 ITTF World Para Future Nakhon Ratchasima, the 2025 ITTF World Para Challenger Kaohsiung, and the 2025 ITTF World Para Future Costa Brava.
The Support System Behind the Success
A crucial factor in Prachi's ascent has been the structured high-performance training and institutional support provided through the Khelo India programme and SAI NCoE Gandhinagar, where she has been part of the programme since June 2023. SAI NCoE Gandhinagar, designated as the Nodal Centre for Para Sports, has been enhancing its high-performance ecosystem for para athletes through specialized coaching, sports science interventions, international competition exposure, and comprehensive training facilities.
Prachi adheres to an intensive training regimen that includes three daily sessions, supported by a multidisciplinary team offering strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, mental conditioning, rehabilitation, and recovery services. To bolster her international competitiveness, SAI NCoE Gandhinagar has facilitated three international exposure opportunities, allowing her to gain valuable match experience against top international players. Her preparation has also been supported under the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC), with financial assistance of approximately Rs 26.86 lakh during the Asian Para Games 2026 cycle, in addition to the residential training facilities and comprehensive support available at the Centre.
SAI Gandhinagar: A Hub for Para Sports
Prachi’s historic bronze medal is also a significant achievement for SAI Regional Centre Gandhinagar, which is dedicated to developing NCoE Gandhinagar as a premier national training hub for para sports. With specialized training programmes across six para disciplines and a growing focus on sports science, international exposure, and athlete-centric support, the Centre continues to enhance its contribution to the development of para sports in India.
Her success highlights the impact of the Khelo India initiative and the Sports Authority of India’s ongoing efforts to create a comprehensive high-performance ecosystem, where promising athletes receive the necessary technical, scientific, and institutional support to compete successfully on the international stage. From a career in technology to making history on the Asian Para Games podium, Prachi Pandey’s extraordinary journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, sporting excellence, and the transformative effects of sustained athlete development.