PM Modi's Boost: Suvarna Raj Says Interaction Fuels Para-Athletes' Willpower
Gold medalist Suvarna Raj shares how PM Narendra Modi's interaction has strengthened the determination of India's Asian Para Games heroes.
In a moment of high emotion and inspiration, gold medalist Suvarna Raj described her interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a transformative experience that has significantly bolstered the confidence and determination of India's para-athletes. The meeting took place at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister met with the contingent of the Asian Para Games 2026 to celebrate their historic achievements.
A Surge in Confidence and Determination
Speaking to ANI after the interaction, Suvarna Raj, who clinched gold in the women's discus throw F54 event, emphasized that the Prime Minister's support acts as a catalyst for the athletes' willpower. She noted that when the leader of the country shows such encouragement, it creates a deep sense of responsibility and motivation among the sportspersons to achieve more.
"It was a great experience. We were so excited. He interacted with us. I also told him that I am a part of Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan). It felt great that he interacted with everyone," Suvarna Raj shared.
Reflecting on the growth of India's performance, Raj pointed out the staggering jump from 14 medals in 2014 to 114 medals in the recent games, attributing this progress to the consistent support provided by the Prime Minister. With a bold vision for the future, she expressed confidence that India can climb from its current fourth-place standing to the top spot in the Asian Para Games within the next decade.
A Historic Haul in Aichi-Nagoya
India's campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya was nothing short of legendary. The country secured a record-breaking 114 medals, finishing fourth in the overall standings. This feat is particularly impressive considering the contingent consisted of 168 para-athletes, a smaller group than the 309 who competed in the previous edition.
The medal tally included:
- Gold: 30
- Silver: 35
- Bronze: 49
This performance surpassed India's previous best of 108 medals achieved during the 2022 Hangzhou edition.
Landmark Performances Across Disciplines
The success was spread across various sports, with several athletes etching their names into the record books:
Para-Athletics and Shooting
India witnessed world-record-breaking feats in athletics. Haney secured gold in the men's javelin F37/38, while Sandeep took the title in the men's 400m T64. In a dominant display, India swept all three medals in the men's javelin F42-F44/F61-F64 event, with Sumit winning gold, Mahendra Gurjar silver, and Sandip Sanjay Sargar bronze.
In para-shooting, Mona Agarwal delivered a standout performance, winning gold in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 and setting both world and Asian Para Games records.
Para-Badminton and Archery
The badminton court saw intense competition as reigning Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar defeated fellow Indian Pramod Bhagat in the men's singles SL3 final to claim gold. Additionally, the duo of Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi won the women's doubles SL3-SU5 title.
The archery range also brought glory, with Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi securing gold in the men's recurve doubles, while Pooja Jatyan and Bhawna Choudhary earned silver in the women's category.