Asian Para Games: Nishad Kumar Smashes Gold, Ravi Budigina Bags Silver
Nishad Kumar secures gold in long jump and Ravi Budigina bags swimming silver as India's medal tally rises at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games.
India's campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games reached new heights on Monday as star athlete Nishad Kumar clinched a stunning gold medal in the men's T47 long jump. In a display of sheer versatility, Kumar dominated the field to secure India's second gold of the tournament. Adding to the glory, 18-year-old swimming sensation Ravi Karthik Budigina secured a silver medal in the men's 100m freestyle S13, marking a historic moment for Indian para-swimming.
Nishad Kumar: From High Jump Hero to Long Jump Champion
Known primarily as a powerhouse in the high jump, Nishad Kumar stepped into the long jump arena for his first international appearance in the discipline and left no doubt about his capabilities. The 26-year-old began the final with a solid jump of 6.95m, quickly raising the bar to 7.09m in his second attempt.
The competition shifted in the third round when Kumar registered a massive 7.11m jump, seizing control of the event. Despite a foul in his fourth attempt, he showed immense mental strength to repeat his best effort of 7.11m in the fifth round. He concluded the event with a jump of 7.07m, comfortably securing the gold medal.
The silver medal went to Uzbekistan's Omadbek Khasanov, who recorded a season-best of 6.99m, while Mohammadu Safran of Sri Lanka took the bronze with 6.55m.
A Legacy of Resilience
This victory adds another jewel to Kumar's illustrious career. A two-time Paralympic silver medallist (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) in the high jump, he is also the 2025 World Para Athletics champion and a gold medallist from the 2022 Asian Para Games. Kumar's journey is one of incredible grit; having lost his right hand in a childhood farm accident, he turned to para-athletics in 2009 and has since become one of the world's elite athletes.
Ravi Budigina Makes History in the Pool
While Kumar was flying on the field, Ravi Karthik Budigina was slicing through the water. The young talent from Andhra Pradesh competed in the men's 100m freestyle S13—a category for athletes with visual impairments. Budigina clocked a time of 56.80 seconds to claim the silver medal.
The gold was won by Uzbekistan's Egor Bolotov, who finished in 52.90 seconds. Budigina's achievement is particularly significant as it represents India's first swimming medal at the current Games, cementing his status as one of the country's most promising emerging talents in the pool.
India's Growing Medal Tally
With the latest additions from Kumar and Budigina, India's overall medal haul at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games has risen to six. The Indian contingent has shown strength across multiple disciplines:
- Shooting: Mona Agarwal (Gold) and Avani Lekhara (Silver) in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1.
- Judo: Kokila secured a silver in the women's J2 -52kg event, while Kapil Parmar earned a bronze in the men's J1 -70kg category.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games are currently underway in Japan and will continue until October 24.