Nishad Kumar Shines with Gold at Asian Para Games 2026
Nishad Kumar's Record-Breaking Performance
In Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 20, India's para-athletics sensation Nishad Kumar achieved a remarkable feat by winning the gold medal in the men's high jump T47 category. He cleared a height of 2.04 meters, setting a new record for the Games during the 5th Asian Para Games.
Nishad's outstanding jump not only secured him the top spot on the podium but also contributed significantly to India's medal tally at this prestigious para-sport event. His accomplishment underscores his exceptional talent in para-athletics and enhances India's reputation in the high jump arena on an international scale.
This gold medal and the new Games Record represent a major milestone for the Indian team at the competition.
India's Strong Performance Across Disciplines
India's athletes showcased their prowess across various sports at the Asian Para Games, earning a mix of gold, silver, and bronze medals in disciplines such as para-athletics, para-powerlifting, shooting para sport, para-table tennis, and para-swimming.
In para-athletics, Deepthi Jeevanji secured gold in the women's 400m T20 event, while Pranav Soorma took home gold and Ram Ratan Singh won silver in the men's discus throw F51/F52/F53. Simran also excelled, winning gold in the women's 200m T12, with Tejalben Damor earning bronze. Preeti Pal added a silver in the women's 200m T35, and in the men's javelin throw F53/F54, Pradeep Kumar and Ayush Verma won silver and bronze, respectively. Praveen Sharma contributed a bronze in the men's shot put F11.
Medal Wins in Other Sports
In para-powerlifting, Ashok claimed silver in the men's category up to 65kg. Manish Narwal also secured silver in the men's 10m air pistol SH1, while Shrishti Arora brought home bronze in the women's 10m air pistol SH1.
India's para-table tennis players achieved multiple bronze medals, with Sonalben Patel, Bhavina Patel, Prachi Pandey, Sahana Ravi, and Jehan Madan all reaching the podium. In para-swimming, Himanshu Nandal won bronze in the men's 400m freestyle S11, and Niranjan Mukundan earned bronze in the men's 200m individual medley SM7.
Additionally, Indian para-badminton athletes progressed through the quarterfinals, with Nitesh Kumar, Pramod Bhagat, and Sanjana Kumari winning their singles matches. The para-archery team also performed admirably, with Sheetal Devi reaching the women's individual compound final and several teams advancing in knockout rounds.
The Indian contingent demonstrated a strong presence with numerous top-eight finishes across athletics, swimming, and powerlifting, highlighting their extensive participation in various sports.