As India concludes Asian Para Games with record 114 medals, PM Modi hails Indian para-athletes

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian para-athletes on their record-breaking performance at the Asian Para Games 2026, where India won 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze, its best-ever tally at the continental event.

In a series of posts on X on Friday, Modi praised athletes across para-badminton, archery, athletics, shooting, table tennis and swimming, highlighting their record-breaking performances and historic milestones. India surpassed its previous official tally of 108 medals at the 2022 Hangzhou edition despite fielding a significantly smaller contingent at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Modi congratulated para-badminton players Nitesh Kumar and Pramod Bhagat, who won gold and silver respectively in the men’s singles SL3 final. He also praised Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi for winning gold in women’s doubles SL3-SU5, and Thulasimathi for her silver in women’s singles SU5.

In para-archery, Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi won gold in men’s recurve doubles, while Pooja Jatyan and Bhawna Choudhary secured silver in women’s recurve doubles.
Also read | India’s Sandeep, Haney clinch world-record golds at Asian Para Games

World records and historic milestones for India

India’s campaign featured multiple world records and podium sweeps across disciplines.

Modi congratulated Haney for winning gold in the men’s javelin throw F37/38 with a world-record effort, and Sandeep Kumar for taking gold in the men’s 400m T64 in a world-record time of 52.28 seconds. Sandeep’s victory marked India’s 100th medal at the Games.

In para-shooting, Mona Agarwal won gold in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1, setting world and Asian Para Games records. She also became the first Indian para-shooter to win a medal in the event at the Games.

India swept all three medals in the men’s javelin throw F42-F44/F61-F64 final, with Sumit winning gold, Mahendra Gurjar silver and Sandip Sanjay Sargar bronze. Pranav Soorma added gold in the men’s club throw F51 with a Games-record effort of 32.87 metres.

Modi also congratulated athletes who secured medals in para-table tennis and swimming, including Jehan Dorab Madan and Shubham Wadhwa, who won bronze in men’s doubles Class MD4, and Himanshu Nandal, who claimed bronze in the men’s 100m freestyle S11.

India surpasses previous medal tally

India finished with 114 medals, surpassing the 108 officially credited to the country after the 2022 Hangzhou Games. Its original tally of 111 was later reduced after three medals were stripped following doping cases involving Neeraj Yadav and Parveen.

The Indian contingent at Aichi-Nagoya comprised 168 para-athletes, compared with 309 athletes at Hangzhou. The result marked a new benchmark for the country, with athletes delivering strong performances in para-athletics, badminton, archery, shooting, table tennis and swimming.

Paralympic Committee of India president Devendra Jhajharia described crossing the 100-medal mark as a proud moment for Indian para-sports, crediting the athletes’ dedication and determination as well as the support extended to the sport.
Also read | ‘Continue to bring pride to Tamil Nadu and India’: Vijay lauds Baby Sahana Ravi, announces cash prize of Rs 30 lakh

Japan PM hails ‘profound beauty’ of para sports

Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi praised athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, describing their performances as a reminder of the “profound beauty” of para sports as the event concluded on Saturday.

In a post on X, Takaichi said Japan was hosting the Asian Para Games for the first time and praised the determination, teamwork and sportsmanship shown by competitors. She also thanked their families, coaches and others who supported them.

Takaichi said the athletes had pushed themselves to achieve their potential, supported teammates and applauded their rivals’ efforts. She added that the Games had helped bring para sports closer to audiences in Japan and abroad.

Japan finished with 186 medals, including 64 gold, 60 silver and 62 bronze, placing second behind China. Takaichi expressed hope that Team Japan would build on its performance at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and the next Asian Para Games in Doha, Qatar.