Kapil Parmar Clinches Historic Bronze at Asian Para Games
Paralympic star Kapil Parmar secures a historic bronze in para-judo at the 2026 Asian Para Games, defeating Indonesia in a swift final bout.
India's para-judo sensation Kapil Parmar has added another feather to his cap by winning the bronze medal in the men's J1 -70kg category at the 2026 Asian Para Games. In a dominant display of skill and strength, Parmar secured the podium finish on Monday after a clinical victory over Indonesia's Shidqi Rafli Ahnaf, ending the match with an Ippon in just 69 seconds.
A Historic Milestone for Indian Judo
This achievement is not just a personal victory for Parmar but a landmark moment for the nation. His bronze marks India's third overall medal at the ongoing Games and represents the first time India has ever won a medal in para-judo at the Asian Para Games. This follows his previous success at the 2023 Hangzhou edition, where he bagged a silver medal.
The Road to the Podium
Parmar's journey to the bronze medal match was marked by grit and determination. In the quarterfinals, he faced a tough challenge from Mongolia's Baatarsuren Bat-Erdene. The match pushed into the "Golden Score" period, but Parmar eventually prevailed, winning by Ippon at the 4-minute and 53-second mark to keep his tournament hopes alive.
Overcoming Personal Struggles
While the victory was sweet, it came after a period of significant emotional turmoil. Parmar's coach, Munawar Anzar, revealed that the athlete had been struggling mentally due to his mother's failing health. Anzar noted that these personal challenges had taken a toll on Parmar, but he encouraged the judoka to dedicate the medal to his mother.
"It was very important for him to win the bronze medal... because of [his mother's health], he went down a lot. Mentally as well. But I told him that he has to dedicate this medal to his mother. So he did it today," said coach Munawar Anzar.
From Tragedy to Triumph
Kapil Parmar's rise to the top of the sporting world is a story of incredible resilience. He lost his eyesight in a tragic accident when an electricity cable fell into a waterlogged field while he was working. Refusing to let this tragedy define him, Parmar turned to sports and trained rigorously at the Indian Para Judo Academy in Lucknow.
His career has since been a series of breakthroughs:
- Paris 2024 Paralympics: Made history as India's first-ever Paralympic medalist in judo, winning bronze in the J1 -60kg category.
- IBSA Judo Grand Prix: Secured gold medals in Alexandria (2023), as well as Antalya and Tbilisi (2024).
Gratitude and Future Goals
Despite the joy of winning, Parmar admitted that he had set his sights on the gold. "I came prepared for the gold medal, but today was not my day or my luck," he shared. He expressed deep gratitude toward the people of India, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), and Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ) for their unwavering support.
With this bronze medal in hand, Parmar and his coaching staff are now shifting their focus toward rigorous preparation for the upcoming Paralympic Games, aiming to climb even higher on the global stage.