India Storms Asian Para Games 2026: 11 Medals on Day 1 to Hit 4th Spot
India secures 4 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze on the opening day of Asian Para Games 2026, climbing to fourth in the standings.
India has kicked off its campaign at the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with an explosive opening day. The Indian contingent delivered a masterclass in versatility and determination, clinching a total of 11 medals—comprising four gold, five silver, and two bronze—to secure fourth place in the overall medal standings behind China, Japan, and Uzbekistan.
The first day of competition saw Indian para-athletes dominate across various disciplines, including para shooting, para athletics, para archery, and para judo, marked by record-breaking performances and strategic victories.
Shooting and Archery: Records Shattered
The shooting range provided one of the most thrilling moments of the day. Mona Agarwal claimed gold in the Women’s 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 (R2) with a score of 250.0, establishing a new Asian Para Games record. Adding to the glory, Avani Lekhara secured the silver medal with 249.6 points, resulting in a dominant one-two finish for India.
This success has significant implications for the future, as both Mona and Avani have now secured their quota places for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. Mona had previously earned her spot at the World Shooting Para Sport World Championships in Changwon, South Korea.
Meanwhile, in para archery, India witnessed a historic milestone. The duo of Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar rewrote the history books by setting a new world record in the mixed team compound ranking round. The pair combined for a staggering 1,402 points, eclipsing the previous world record of 1,400 points.
Athletics: Dominance on the Field and Track
The athletics arena was a goldmine for the Indian squad, particularly in the throwing and running events:
- Men's Javelin Throw F46: India achieved another one-two finish. Rinku Hooda took the gold with a throw of 65.11 metres, while Ajeet Singh followed closely with 65.02 metres to claim silver.
- Women's 1500m T12/13: Soumya Kumar surged to gold with a personal-best time of 5:12.39. Radha Venkatesh secured the silver in 5:30.90. For Radha, this is a significant podium finish, as her first-place finish in the same event at the 2022 Games was categorized as a non-medal competition.
- Men's T47 Long Jump: Two-time Paralympic silver medallist Nishad Kumar made a triumphant debut in this discipline, leaping 7.11m to secure the gold medal.
- Women's 1500m T11: Ravanni Valasanaini added to the tally with a bronze medal, clocking a personal best of 5:41.85.
Success Across Other Disciplines
India's medal haul extended beyond the track and range. In the pool, 18-year-old Ravi Karthik Budigina displayed impressive speed in the men's 100m freestyle S13, clocking 56.80 seconds to earn a silver medal.
In para judo, Kokila contributed a silver medal to the count, while Kapil Parmar remains in contention after a crucial quarterfinal victory in the Men’s J1 -70kg category.
With four gold, five silver, and two bronze medals on day one, India has signaled its intent to be a major force at the 2026 Asian Para Games, showcasing a blend of experienced champions and rising stars.