Army Chief felicitates Indian Army para-athletes who won 6 medals at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Indian Army para-athletes who won six medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya were felicitated by Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth in New Delhi on Thursday — a ceremony that also reflects India's historic best-ever 114-medal haul at the Games, the second consecutive edition India crossed the 100-medal mark.
Key Takeaways
Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth felicitated Indian Army para-athletes on 5 November 2026 in New Delhi .
At least nine Indian Army para-athletes participated in the 5th Asian Para Games, Aichi–Nagoya 2026 , winning 6 medals — 1 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze .
Subedar Solairaj D, VSM , won Gold in Long Jump ; Mrs Simran , wife of Naik Gajender , was also felicitated for two Gold medals in the 100m and 200m .
India recorded its best-ever Asian Para Games tally with 114 medals (30 Gold, 35 Silver, 49 Bronze) , surpassing the previous best of 108 medals from Hangzhou 2023.
India crossed the 100-medal mark for the second consecutive edition of the Asian Para Games.
General Dhiraj Seth, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), on Thursday, 5 November 2026, felicitated Indian Army para-athletes at a special interaction in New Delhi, honouring their medal-winning performances at the 5th Asian Para Games, Aichi–Nagoya 2026. The ceremony recognised a contingent of at least nine Indian Army para-athletes who collectively won six medals — including one Gold, two Silver, and three Bronze — at the Games held in Nagoya, Japan from 18 to 24 October 2026.
Medal Winners Honoured
Subedar Solairaj D, VSM, claimed the sole Gold medal of the Army contingent in the Long Jump event. Havildar Rakesh and Havildar Kapil Kumar won Silver in Discus Throw and 400m Freestyle Swimming, respectively. The three Bronze medals were secured by Subedar H Hokato Sema, AVSM, in Shot Put; Subedar Ajay Kumar, in 400m Athletics; and Havildar Pardeep Kumar, in Discus Throw.
The Army Chief also felicitated Mrs Simran, wife of Naik Gajender, who won two Gold medals in the 100m and 200m events, making a significant contribution to India's overall medal tally at the Games.
Coaching Staff Acknowledged
The COAS extended recognition beyond the athletes, acknowledging the contributions of the support ecosystem behind the wins. Those honoured included Subedar Bibin Dev and Subedar Mortaza (Athletics Coaches), Havildar Avinash A (Strength and Conditioning Coach), and Lieutenant Colonel Daljit Singh, Officer-in-Charge of the Army Paralympic Node.
India's Best-Ever Asian Para Games Performance
The felicitation comes against the backdrop of India recording its best-ever performance at the Asian Para Games. At the Aichi–Nagoya 2026 edition, India's 97 para-athletes collectively won 114 medals — comprising 30 Gold, 35 Silver, and 49 Bronze — surpassing the previous best of 108 medals (including 27 Gold) achieved at the 2023 Hangzhou edition in China. This also marked the second consecutive edition in which India crossed the 100-medal milestone at the Asian Para Games.
Army's Commitment to Para-Sport
The COAS' interaction underscored the Indian Army's stated commitment to rehabilitation, inclusive sporting opportunities, and institutional support for personnel pursuing competitive para-sport at the highest levels. This comes amid a broader national push to elevate para-athletics through structured military and institutional frameworks. With the 2028 Paralympic cycle on the horizon, the Army's investments in its Paralympic Node signal a long-term strategic approach to para-sport excellence.
Point of View
But the numbers behind it are not. Six medals from nine soldiers at a single multi-sport Games reflects a maturing institutional pipeline — the Army Paralympic Node is quietly doing what many national federations have failed to: convert rehabilitation infrastructure into competitive excellence. India's jump from 108 medals in Hangzhou 2023 to 114 in Nagoya 2026 is not an accident; it reflects deliberate investment. The larger question is whether this momentum can be sustained into the Paralympic cycle and whether civilian para-sport bodies will replicate the Army's model of embedded coaching and structured support.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian Army para-athletes won medals at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Six Indian Army para-athletes won medals at the 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan. Gold was won by Subedar Solairaj D, VSM (Long Jump); Silver by Havildar Rakesh (Discus Throw) and Havildar Kapil Kumar (400m Freestyle Swimming); Bronze by Subedar H Hokato Sema, AVSM (Shot Put), Subedar Ajay Kumar (400m Athletics), and Havildar Pardeep Kumar (Discus Throw).
Why did the Army Chief felicitate Mrs Simran at the ceremony?
Mrs Simran, wife of Naik Gajender, was felicitated by the COAS for winning two Gold medals in the 100m and 200m events at the Asian Para Games 2026, contributing significantly to India's overall medal tally.
How did India perform overall at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India achieved its best-ever performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi–Nagoya, winning 114 medals — 30 Gold, 35 Silver, and 49 Bronze — with 97 para-athletes contributing. This surpassed India's previous best of 108 medals at the 2023 Hangzhou edition.
What is the Army Paralympic Node?
The Army Paralympic Node is an Indian Army unit responsible for identifying, training, and supporting Army para-athletes for competitive para-sport. Lieutenant Colonel Daljit Singh was acknowledged as Officer-in-Charge of the Node at the felicitation ceremony.
Where and when were the 5th Asian Para Games held?
The 5th Asian Para Games were held in Aichi–Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 24 October 2026. India's contingent of 97 para-athletes delivered the country's best-ever medal haul at the event.
