Swati Chaudhary Leads India's Historic Medal Win at Asian Para Games 2026

Swati Chaudhary's Remarkable Achievement

Indian para-archer Swati Chaudhary expressed her joy over winning a silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling it an emotional milestone. Upon her return to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, she stated, "This is a very emotional moment for me, and I am thrilled. Having secured a medal at the Asian Games, I am motivated to continue performing at my best."

Swati earned silver in the women's W1 individual event, marking India's first medal in the W1 archery category at these games. She narrowly lost to China's Mengkan Cen with a score of 4-6 in the final. Reflecting on her experience in Japan, she noted, "The weather posed some challenges, but we adhered to the training methods our coaches instilled in us. Overall, we performed well, and the facilities in Japan were excellent." Swati dedicated her medal to her supporters, saying, "I want to dedicate this achievement to my country, my coaches, my family, and everyone who has been part of my journey."

Success of the Para-Archery Team

India's para-archery team secured a total of six medals at the Games, including three gold and three silver, contributing to an impressive overall tally of 114 medals for the country. Notably, Bhawna Choudhary and Pooja Jatyan made history by winning India's first medal in the women's recurve doubles event, also earning silver. Bhawna shared her excitement, stating, "This was my first Asian Games, and winning a silver medal feels fantastic. Although there were some challenges, I remained focused and will strive for improvement in the future."

Pooja, a single mother, discussed the personal hurdles she faced during the competition, emphasizing the medal's significance in her life. "I was constantly thinking about my situation as a single mother, which made it a tough experience. Regardless of the outcome, my life was about to change," she explained. When asked whom she would dedicate her medal to, Pooja replied, "I dedicate this medal to my late father."

Insights from Compound Archers

In the women's para compound doubles event, Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag also claimed silver. Payal remarked on the windy conditions in Japan, which made the competition challenging, but she was pleased with their performance. "The wind was a factor, so I had to adjust my shooting accordingly, but I am very happy with our silver medal," she stated. Payal dedicated her medal to her parents and coaches, acknowledging their unwavering support. "My parents and coaches have worked hard for this, and I want to honor them with this achievement," she added. With upcoming selection trials, Payal expressed her commitment to training without delay, stating, "I need to focus on practice for the trials and aim for more medals in the future."

India's Record-Breaking Performance

India concluded the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya with a total of 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze, surpassing their previous record of 108 medals achieved in Hangzhou in 2022. This remarkable achievement was accomplished with a smaller team of 168 para-athletes, compared to 309 in the last edition. BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva, along with Archery Association of India President Arjun Munda, welcomed the para-archers at the IGI Airport in New Delhi. Sachdeva commented on the progress of sports in India, stating, "All athletes put in tremendous effort. Our para-archers have returned with six medals, which is a significant accomplishment given the challenges they face. Over the past five years, there has been a positive shift in the perception of sports in India."

He further noted, "The Government of India and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) are collaborating effectively to enhance facilities and organize competitive events. This has led to improved performances, and we are optimistic about preparing for the LA Olympics 2028 and the 2030 Commonwealth Games." Indian athletes showcased outstanding performances across various disciplines, including para-athletics, para-badminton, para-archery, shooting, table tennis, and swimming, marking the country's most successful campaign in the history of the Asian Para Games.