Himanshu Nandal Clinches Bronze in 400m Freestyle at Asian Para Games
Para-swimmer Himanshu Nandal secures a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle S11 at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
India's para-swimming campaign received a significant boost as Himanshu Nandal secured a bronze medal in the men’s 400m freestyle S11 event at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games. The 22-year-old athlete from Rohtak, Haryana, delivered a strong performance on Tuesday, October 20, adding to India's growing medal tally at the prestigious event.
The Race for the Podium
Competing in a high-stakes four-man final, Nandal clocked a time of 5:10.91 to claim the third spot. While the Indian swimmer put up a valiant effort, the race was dominated by China's Chuanzhen Sun, who not only won the gold medal but also set a new Asian record. Japan’s Uchu Tomita took home the silver, finishing 32 seconds ahead of Nandal and 45 seconds behind the gold medalist.
This achievement marks the second para-swimming medal for India in the current edition of the Games, contributing to a total of 24 medals amassed by the nation as of October 20.
From Judo Mats to Swimming Pools
Himanshu Nandal's journey to the podium is one of remarkable transition and determination. Before diving into the pool, Nandal was a successful judoka at the national level. In 2021, he made the pivotal decision to switch sports and take up swimming.
Competing in the S11 classification—designed for athletes with near-total visual impairment—Nandal quickly rose through the ranks. After receiving his international S11 classification in 2023, he made history as the first blind swimmer from India to meet the Minimum Qualification Standard for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
A Record of Consistency
Nandal's bronze in Nagoya is part of a steady climb in international para-swimming. In 2025, he proved his mettle on the global stage by reaching two finals at the World Para Swimming Championships held in Singapore.
The Asian Para Games have been a test of endurance for the Rohtak native. Just a day prior to his medal-winning swim, Nandal competed on Monday, October 19, in the men's 100m backstroke S11 event, where he narrowly missed the podium, finishing in fourth place.