India shines at Asian Para Games 2026 with 30th gold on Day 5

The buzz in Nagoya’s International Stadium was almost palpable on Saturday. India’s para‑sport contingent, now sitting comfortably in fourth place, added another 26 medals to its haul, pushing the total to 88 – 21 gold, 26 silver and 41 bronze. It feels like the finish line is inching closer, and the coach, Satyanarayan, couldn’t hide his grin.

"We’re hungry for that hundred‑medal milestone," he said after the events, his voice a mix of pride and the quiet confidence that only comes after weeks of grueling preparation. The team’s momentum seems unstoppable.

In the club‑throw F51 final, Pranav Soorma stepped up to the line and launched a Games‑record 32.87 metres. The crowd erupted as his fellow Indian, Dharambir, followed with a solid 27.71 m for bronze, while Amit Kumar narrowly missed the podium with a 27.26 m effort. Soorma’s throw wasn’t just a win; it was a statement.

Not far away, the javelin arena turned into an Indian showcase. Sumit Antil, ever the calm under pressure, clinched gold with a 72.46 m toss that earned him 1,112 Raza points. Behind him, Mahendra Gurjar and Sandip Sanjay Sargar completed a clean sweep, taking silver and bronze respectively, each setting new Games records in their classifications. The trio’s camaraderie was evident – a quick high‑five here, a shared laugh there.

Archery also gifted India its share of glitter. Sheetal Devi, laser‑focused, secured gold in the women’s individual compound event and then partnered with Toman Kumar to claim the mixed team title. Meanwhile, Swati Chaudhary made history, snagging India’s first medal in the Women’s W1 Individual category with a silver after a tight 4‑6 finish against China’s Mengkan Cen.

The high‑jump pit echoed with another Indian triumph. Shailesh Kumar leapt to a Games‑record 1.89 m, taking gold, while teammate Varun Singh Bhati and Rahul rounded out the podium with silver and bronze. It was a rare three‑way Indian finish that left spectators cheering.

Swimming, too, added to the medal tally. Kapil Kumar swam his way to a silver, and both Swatik Patil and Tejas Nandkumar earned bronzes, proving that the Indian pool team is making waves.

As the day wound down, the focus shifted to the closing ceremony. Double‑gold medallists Mona Agarwal and Nishad Kumar were named India’s flag‑bearers – a fitting honor for athletes who have overcome immense challenges. Agarwal, who fights polio‑related paralysis, smashed a world record in the 50 m rifle 3‑positions SH1, while Nishad, who lost his right arm in a childhood accident, cleared both the high jump and long jump T47 events.

With each passing day, the Indian contingent seems to write a new chapter in para‑sport history. If the current trajectory holds, the elusive 100‑medal benchmark might just be within reach before the Games draw to a close.