Gujarat athletes clinch 8 medals at Asian Para Games 2026, Anjana Bumbadiya wins gold
Synopsis
Gujarat sent eight medals home from the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan, headlined by Anjana Bumbadiya's gold in the women's 400m T47. With Arjuna Award winner Bhavinaben Patel and sprint double-medallist Tejalben Damor among the standouts, the state's structured financial support model — spanning three international cycles — is quietly turning Gujarat into one of India's most consistent para-sports nurseries.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat won 8 medals — 1 gold, 2 silver, 5 bronze — at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan .
Anjana Bumbadiya of Sabarkantha won gold in the women's 400m T47 with a time of 59.97 seconds .
Tejalben Damor claimed silver ( 400m T12 , 57.60s ) and bronze ( 200m T12 , 25.23s ); Rakesh Bhatt won two bronze medals in men's T37 sprints .
Bhavinaben Patel and Sonalben Patel each won bronze in para table tennis women's singles .
The Gujarat government has provided financial support ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹50 lakh per athlete across recent Games cycles under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel .
Athletes from Gujarat delivered a standout performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan, winning eight medals — including one gold, two silver, and five bronze. The highlight was Anjana Bumbadiya of Sabarkantha, who topped the podium in the women's 400m T47 event with a time of 59.97 seconds, giving Gujarat its only gold of the Games.
Track Athletes Lead the Charge
Tejalben Damor, also from Sabarkantha, was the most decorated athlete of the contingent, earning two medals in sprint events. She took silver in the women's 400m T12 with a time of 57.60 seconds and added a bronze in the women's 200m T12, clocking 25.23 seconds.
Nimisha from Gandhinagar secured silver in the T47 long jump, recording a distance of 5.37 metres. Rakesh Bhatt of Bhavnagar picked up two bronze medals in men's sprint events, finishing third in both the 100m T37 in 11.50 seconds and the 200m T37 in 23.64 seconds.
Para Table Tennis Adds to Medal Tally
Gujarat rounded off its haul with two bronze medals in para table tennis. Bhavinaben Patel of Mehsana finished third in the women's singles Class 4-5 event, while Sonalben Patel of Ahmedabad claimed bronze in the women's singles Class 3 category.
Notably, Bhavinaben Patel, an Arjuna Award recipient, is among India's most accomplished para table tennis players, having previously represented the country at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou — where she won a medal and was awarded ₹50 lakh by the Gujarat government — and at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Gujarat Government's Financial Support for Para-Athletes
The state government has backed several of these athletes financially across major events. Bhavinaben Patel received ₹5 lakh for the 2023 Asian Games and ₹10 lakh for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Sonalben Patel was similarly supported with ₹5 lakh for the 2023 Asian Games and ₹10 lakh for the Paris Olympics. Nimisha received ₹5 lakh for the 2023 Asian Games participation and a reward of ₹30 lakh for winning gold in the long jump at Hangzhou. Rakesh Bhatt was given ₹5 lakh for his participation in the 2023 Asian Games.
The state government attributed the support to its policy of encouraging athletes under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership, and also credited efforts at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote sports and ensure the all-round development of athletes.
Significance for Para-Sports in India
The government said the performances of Gujarat's para-athletes 'reflected their hard work, talent and determination, and could encourage more athletes with disabilities to take up competitive sports and represent India internationally.' This comes as Indian para-sports continues its upward trajectory, with the national contingent building depth across athletics, table tennis, and field events at continental competitions. With the state's financial support model now spanning three successive international cycles, Gujarat is emerging as one of India's more structured feeder states for para-sports talent.
How this generation of athletes performs in future Paralympic qualifying rounds will be closely watched by both national selectors and state sports bodies.
Point of View
Or whether Indian para-sports remains dependent on a handful of high-investment states while the rest of the country's para-athletes lack basic infrastructure and coaching. Bhavinaben Patel's journey from Mehsana to a Paris Olympics podium is inspirational — but it also highlights how rare that pipeline still is outside a few privileged pockets.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did Gujarat win at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Gujarat won eight medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 — one gold, two silver, and five bronze. The Games were held in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan.
Who won gold for Gujarat at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Anjana Bumbadiya of Sabarkantha won gold in the women's 400m T47 event with a time of 59.97 seconds, giving Gujarat its top-of-the-podium finish at the 2026 Games.
What events did Bhavinaben Patel compete in at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Bhavinaben Patel of Mehsana competed in para table tennis women's singles Class 4-5, winning a bronze medal. An Arjuna Award recipient, she has previously represented India at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
What financial support has the Gujarat government provided to its para-athletes?
The Gujarat government has provided support ranging from ₹5 lakh for Games participation to ₹50 lakh for medal wins. Bhavinaben Patel, for instance, received ₹10 lakh for the Paris Olympics and ₹50 lakh for her medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Which athletes from Gujarat won medals in para table tennis at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Bhavinaben Patel of Mehsana and Sonalben Patel of Ahmedabad each won bronze in para table tennis — in the women's singles Class 4-5 and Class 3 events, respectively.
