Nagoya, October 23: India scripted a historic chapter at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan, crossing the 100-medal mark to reach an unprecedented tally of 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze, after a remarkable fifth day of competition.
Indian athletes delivered world-record performances, historic firsts and multiple podium finishes across para athletics, para badminton, para archery, para shooting, para table tennis and para swimming, underlining the country's growing strength in para-sports.
Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia hailed the achievement, crediting the athletes' dedication and the increasing support for para-sports in the country.
"Crossing the 100-medal mark and reaching 114 medals is a proud
moment for Indian para-sports and a testament to the dedication, courage and determination of our athletes," Jhajharia said.
He added that the support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had helped strengthen the sporting ecosystem, while expressing confidence that India would continue building on its success.
Para athletics proved particularly productive for India, with several athletes delivering record-breaking performances. Haney won gold in the men's javelin throw F37/38 with a throw of 60.49 metres, setting a world record in the T37 category.
Debutant Sandeep followed with another landmark performance, winning the men's 400m T64 gold in 52.28 seconds and establishing a world record in the T44 category. Ajay Kumar claimed bronze in the same event in 53.61 seconds.
India also achieved a podium sweep in the men's javelin throw F42-F44/F61-F64 events. Sumit won gold in the T64 category with a throw of 72.46 metres, while Mahendra Gurjar took silver with a Games Record of 59.03 metres in T42. Sandip Sanjay Sargar completed the sweep with bronze after recording a Games Record of 64.48 metres in T44.
Pranav Soorma added another gold in the men's club throw F51, setting a Games Record of 32.87 metres. Dharambir secured bronze in the event with a throw of 27.71 metres. Navdeep won bronze in the men's javelin throw F40/F41, while Rakeshbhai Bhatt took bronze in the men's 200m T37. Sandeep also claimed bronze in the men's 100m T44, finishing his campaign with one gold, one bronze and a world record.
In para badminton, reigning Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar defeated compatriot and reigning world champion Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in the men's singles SL3 final to win gold. Bhagat settled for silver, ensuring an all-Indian podium finish.
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Girishchandra Joshi won gold in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 final, defeating China's reigning world champions Qiuxia Yang and Zuxian Xiao 21-16, 21-13. Thulasimathi also won silver in the women's singles SU5, while Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan claimed silver in the women's singles SH6.
Para archery also produced significant milestones. Harvinder Singh and debutant Vijay Sundi won gold in the men's recurve doubles, while Bhawna and Pooja secured silver in the women's recurve doubles, earning India its first-ever medal in the event at the Asian Para Games.
In para shooting, Mona Agarwal created history by winning gold in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 with a score of 357.5, setting world and Asian Para Games records. She also became the first Indian para-shooter to win a medal in the event at the competition.
India added further medals through para table tennis and para swimming. Jehan Dorab Madan and Shubham Wadhwa won bronze in the men's doubles Class MD4, while Himanshu Nandal secured bronze in the men's 100m freestyle S11 in 1:05.90, completing a three-medal bronze campaign.
With 114 medals, including 30 gold, India continued its impressive campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, with world records, historic achievements and multiple podium finishes highlighting the depth of its para-sporting talent.
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-179297253105069373.webp)
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-179297255975627726.webp)
