'Huge Moment': Swati Chaudhary Makes History with Asian Para Games Silver
Para-archer Swati Chaudhary makes history with India's first W1 medal at the Asian Para Games. Read about the team's record-breaking haul.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi turned into a scene of celebration on Sunday as India's triumphant para-archery contingent returned home. Leading the emotions was Swati Chaudhary, who has etched her name in the history books by securing India's first-ever medal in the women's W1 individual event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
A Historic Milestone for Swati Chaudhary
For Swati, the silver medal is more than just a sporting achievement; it is a deeply emotional milestone. Speaking to ANI upon her arrival from Japan, she described the moment as "very emotional" and a "huge moment" in her career. Despite a hard-fought final where she narrowly lost 4-6 to China's Mengkan Cen, the victory marks a breakthrough for Indian para-archery in the W1 category.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the competition in Japan, Swati noted that the weather proved to be a hurdle. However, she credited her success to the rigorous training and processes instilled by her coaches. "We gave a good performance, so everything went really well," she added, praising the excellent facilities provided in Japan. Swati dedicated her historic achievement to her country, her family, her coaches, and everyone who supported her journey.
More History Made: Recurve and Compound Success
Swati wasn't the only one breaking barriers. Bhawna Choudhary and Pooja Jatyan created their own history by winning India's first-ever medal in the women's recurve doubles event, bringing home a silver. For Bhawna, who was competing in her first Asian Games, the medal was a testament to her focus despite certain shortcomings she felt during the event.
Pooja Jatyan's victory carried a profound personal weight. As a single mother, Pooja spoke candidly about the immense pressure and the life-changing nature of the competition. In a touching tribute, she dedicated her silver medal to her late father.
Further adding to the tally, Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag secured silver in the women's para compound doubles. Payal highlighted the difficulty of competing in windy conditions, which required precise adjustments to her shooting. Rather than resting on her laurels, Payal announced her intention to return to training immediately to prepare for upcoming selection trials, driven by a hunger for more medals.
India's Record-Breaking Campaign
The para-archery team's contribution of six medals—three gold and three silver—played a pivotal role in India's overall success at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. India finished the event with a record-shattering total of 114 medals, consisting of 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that India surpassed its previous best of 108 medals from the 2022 Hangzhou Games, despite sending a significantly smaller contingent of 168 athletes compared to the 309 sent previously.
A Grand Welcome
The returning heroes were greeted at the airport by Archery Association of India (AAI) President Arjun Munda and BJP leader Virendra Sachdeva. Sachdeva praised the resilience of the athletes, noting that their ability to overcome personal challenges and difficult circumstances to bring home medals is a "huge achievement" for the nation.