A Historic Medal Haul
Team India concluded its spectacular campaign with a record-breaking total of 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze. This phenomenal achievement not only surpassed the previous best of 111 medals from the Hangzhou 2023 Games but also
secured India a fourth-place finish in the overall standings — its highest rank ever. The success is even more remarkable considering the contingent size of 167 athletes was significantly smaller than the 309 who competed in the previous edition, highlighting an incredible level of performance and efficiency.
Athletics: The Engine of Success
As has often been the case, the para-athletics team was the backbone of India's success, contributing a staggering 65 medals to the final tally. This included 22 gold medals, showcasing sheer dominance on the track and field. Javelin thrower Sumit Antil, a two-time Paralympic champion, successfully defended his title. The javelin event saw a complete Indian podium sweep, with Mahendra Gurjar and Sandip Sanjay Sargar winning silver and bronze respectively. India also achieved podium sweeps in events like the men's shot put F46 and high jump T42/T63, underscoring the depth of talent in the athletics squad.
World Records and Star Performers
The Games were not just about winning medals, but also about setting new global benchmarks. Haney set a new world record with a throw of 60.49 metres in the men's javelin F37/38 event. On the track, Sandeep clocked a world-record time of 52.28 seconds to clinch gold in the men's 400m T64 event. In shooting, Mona Agarwal was a standout performer, winning two gold medals. She created a new world record in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 event, becoming the first Indian para-shooter to win a medal in this specific competition at the Games. Archer Sheetal Devi also had a stellar campaign, winning three medals, including two golds.
Triumphs in Badminton and Archery
The para-badminton contingent was another major contributor, securing 16 medals. The action was highlighted by an all-Indian final in the men's singles SL3 category, where Nitesh Kumar defeated reigning world champion Pramod Bhagat to win gold. The women's doubles pair of Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi also clinched a memorable gold. In para-archery, India celebrated historic achievements. Harvinder Singh and debutant Vijay Sundi won gold in the men's recurve doubles, while Bhawna and Pooja earned a silver in the women's recurve doubles — India's first-ever medal in the event.
Emerging Disciplines and Future Promise
Beyond the traditional strongholds, Indian athletes showed remarkable progress in other sports. The para-swimming team, which had won a single medal in the previous edition, brought home an impressive 11 medals this time. Similarly, the para-table tennis squad significantly improved its showing, securing seven bronze medals compared to two in 2023. These results demonstrate the growing diversification of para-sports in the country. The outstanding performance at Aichi-Nagoya has also resulted in securing two Paralympic quotas in shooting for the 2028 Summer Paralympics, laying a strong foundation for future glory.
