India shatters records with 65 medals in Asian Para Games para‑athletics

When the last whistle blew on Friday in Nagoya, a wave of elation swept across the Indian contingent. The para‑athletics squad walked away with a staggering 65 medals – 22 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze – the best haul ever recorded by the nation at an Asian Para Games.

Four athletes clinched the final golds on the very last day. Two‑time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil once again proved why he’s a household name, launching his javelin 72.46 metres in the combined F42‑44/61‑64 event to seal the top spot. Alongside him, Pranav Soorma defended his club‑throw crown, Sandeep stormed to victory in the men’s 400 m T64, and Haney set a new benchmark in the F37/38 javelin.

India’s medal count eclipsed the previous record of 53 from Hangzhou 2022 by a comfortable 12 medals. That earlier tally had delivered 16 golds; this time the tally of 22 golds puts India firmly in second place on the para‑athletics leaderboard, just behind the dominant Chinese team that amassed 54 golds.

Uzbekistan finished a close second in the overall medal table with 64 medals (20 gold), while hosts Japan took home 51 (19 gold). India’s 13 medals on the final day – four gold, three silver and six bronze – capped a campaign that has been as thrilling as it has been historic.

Among the silver medallists were Parmod Bijarnia in the men’s 1500 m T46, Mahendra Gurjar in the javelin F42‑44/61‑64, and Nimisha Chakkungalparambil who hopped onto the podium with a 5.37 m long‑jump in the women’s T47. Bronze went to a host of athletes, including Sandeep in the 100 m T44, Rakeshbhai Bhatt in the 200 m T37, and Navdeep Singh in the F40/41 javelin.

Antil’s story is a reminder of how far determination can travel. Born in Khewra, Sonipat, his father – an Indian Air Force employee – passed away when Sumit was only seven. He initially dreamed of wrestling, but a tragic road accident at 17 led to the amputation of his left leg. The javelin that now flies over 70 metres is a testament to his resilience, and the gold in Nagoya adds a third Asian title to his already glittering résumé.

Pranav Soorma’s performance was equally poignant. The club‑throw specialist, who also claimed gold in Hangzhou, threw a Games‑record 32.87 m, beating Korea’s Jiwon Jung by a clear margin. Soorma, a silver medallist at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, demonstrated that his dominance in the F51 class – a category for athletes with severe trunk and limb impairments who compete seated – is far from waning.

Sandeep’s 400 m T64 sprint was a masterclass in speed and strategy. He crossed the line in 52.28 seconds, smashing the previous world record and leaving Saudi Arabia’s Nour Alsana trailing by 0.85 seconds. Ajay Kumar, also from India, rounded out the podium with a respectable bronze.

Haney’s javelin throw in the combined F37/38 category was another highlight, landing at 60.49 m and translating into 1116 Raza points – the scoring system that levels the playing field when different classifications compete together. Iran’s Hormoz Seidikazpounji earned silver with a personal best, while China’s Yu Chengjie secured bronze with an Asian record.

The day also saw Nimisha Chakkungalparambil narrowly miss gold in the women’s long‑jump T47, her best effort of 5.37 m falling short of Sri Lanka’s Games‑record 5.52 m. In the men’s 1500 m T46, Parmod’s 4:09.65 earned silver, though Sri Lanka’s Puwakpitikande set a new Games benchmark at 4:03.25.

Overall, the Indian para‑athletics team of 62 athletes demonstrated depth, grit, and a willingness to push the limits of what’s possible. Their achievement not only raises the nation’s profile on the continental stage but also sends a powerful message to future generations of differently‑abled athletes across the country.

As the Indian flag fluttered above the medal podiums, the cheers echoed a simple truth: talent, when combined with perseverance, can rewrite history – and this 2026 Asian Para Games will be remembered as the moment India truly rose to the occasion.