Asian Para Games 2026: Sumit Antil, Sheetal Devi and Avani Lekhara Lead India's Charge
India sends a focused contingent to the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, led by stars like Sumit Antil, Sheetal Devi, and Avani Lekhara.
India is all set to begin its campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a lean but lethal contingent. Despite a smaller squad size compared to previous years, the Indian team is eyeing unparalleled glory as they enter the arena from Sunday onwards. Adding to the prestige, Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel have been named the flag-bearers for the opening ceremony.
A Focused Contingent for Aichi-Nagoya
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) has officially cleared a total of 281 members for the 5th Asian Para Games. This group consists of 168 athletes (112 men and 56 women), 98 team officials and supporting staff, and 15 contingent staff members.
While the team is highly skilled, the size of the athlete pool has seen a significant drop from the 303 athletes fielded during the 2023 Hangzhou Games. This reduction is primarily due to two factors: the absence of specific disciplines such as Para-Canoeing, Para-Rowing, and Blind Chess in this edition, and strict quota restrictions imposed by the Organising Committee. The impact is most visible in para athletics, where India's presence has shrunk from 123 athletes in the last edition to 62 this time.
Defending the Legacy: The Stars to Watch
India enters the competition riding the momentum of its historic performance in Hangzhou, where the nation clinched a record-breaking 111 medals, including 29 golds. To replicate and exceed that success, India is relying on a roster of world-class champions:
Para Athletics
Expected to be the biggest medal contributor, the athletics squad features the legendary two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil, who aims to defend his men's javelin throw F64 title. He is joined by other powerhouses including:
- Paralympic champions Dharambir Nain, Praveen Kumar, and Navdeep Singh.
- Medalists Preethi Pal, Deepthi Jeevanji, Nishad Kumar, Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, and Hokato Hotozhe Sema.
Para Shooting and Archery
In the shooting range, the charge is led by two-time Paralympic champion Avani Lekhara, the defending Asian Para Games champion in the women's 10m air rifle. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old sensation Sheetal Devi returns to the archery field to defend her women's compound title, following her stellar multi-medal haul in 2023.
Para Badminton
The badminton squad is spearheaded by Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar and Pramod Bhagat. They are supported by a strong lineup including silver medallists Suhas Yathiraj and Thulasimathi Murugesan, and bronze medallist Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan.
The Road to Japan: A History of Growth
India's trajectory at the Asian Para Games has been one of exponential growth. The nation has evolved from winning 14 medals at Guangzhou 2010 to 33 at Incheon 2014, and 72 at Jakarta 2018. The leap to over 100 medals in the previous edition marked a monumental shift in the country's para-sports landscape.
Event Logistics
The games will run from October 18 to 24, utilizing 19 different venues across the region. The Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium will serve as the primary hub for the competitions. While the opening ceremony marks the official start, preliminary rounds for boccia, para table tennis, para badminton, and blind football will commence even earlier.
India's Squad Highlights:
- Blind Football: Includes Aditya Sajwan, Boje Marbom, Klingson Marak, and others.
- Boccia: Anjali Devi and Sachin Chamaria.
- Para Archery: Featuring Sheetal Devi, Harvinder Singh, and Vijay Sundi.
- Para Athletics: Led by Sumit Antil and Ajay Kumar.