CM Bhajan Lal Congratulates India's Asian Para Games 2026 Medal Winners
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma praised five Indian para-athletes by name after they collectively won one gold, one silver, and three bronze medals across badminton, athletics, and swimming at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Key Takeaways
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Joshi won gold in women's doubles SL3-SU5 badminton at Asian Para Games 2026 .
Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan claimed silver in mixed doubles SL3-SU5 badminton, giving Thulasimathi two medals.
Rakeshbhai Bhatt won bronze in men's 200m T37 athletics.
Himanshu Nandal won bronze in men's 100m freestyle S11 swimming.
Ajay Kumar won bronze in men's 400m T64 athletics.
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma personally named each medallist and invoked sporting composure under pressure as the hallmark of a true athlete.
Five Indian para-athletes brought home medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was quick to recognise each one by name — a roll call that puts faces to one of India's strongest para-sports showings on the continental stage.
Gold, Silver, and Three Bronzes: What India's Athletes Achieved
Leading the haul was the women's doubles SL3-SU5 badminton pair of Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Girishchandra Joshi, who claimed the gold medal. Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan then doubled Thulasimathi's tally, taking silver in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event — making her the standout performer across two podium finishes in the same Games.
The bronze medals came from three different disciplines. Rakeshbhai Bhatt clocked his way onto the podium in the men's 200 metres T37 athletics race. Himanshu Nandal touched the wall third in the men's 100 metre freestyle S11 swimming event. And Ajay Kumar rounded off the five-medal day with a bronze in the men's 400 metres T64.
Sharma's Message: Composure Under Pressure as a Defining Quality
CM Sharma offered congratulations and best wishes to all five athletes, writing in Hindi: 'Pratispardha ke dabaav mein sanyam banaye rakhna aur har muqable mein apna sarvashreshth dena hi ek khiladi ki asli pehchaan hai' — 'Maintaining composure under competitive pressure and giving your best in every contest is the true identity of an athlete.' He praised them for embodying that spirit and for making the country proud.
Sharma added that the athletes' hard work and performances would 'continue to inspire sporting talent across the country to move forward,' and wished them success in future competitions.
Thulasimathi and Nitesh: Para-Badminton's Consistent Continental Force
Thulasimathi Murugesan has been among the most decorated Indian para-badminton players at the Asian level, consistently competing in SL3-SU5 events. Nitesh Kumar has similarly built a record of Asian-level doubles medals. Their partnership in the mixed doubles final underscores the depth India has developed in para-badminton since the sport gained wider institutional support in the 2010s — a trajectory that has made the country a consistent podium presence at quadrennial para-sports competitions across the continent.
Indian political leaders, at both state and central levels, have increasingly used platforms like X to spotlight para-athletes individually — a shift from the days when para-sports coverage was an afterthought. Five named congratulations in a single post is itself a signal of how mainstream that recognition has become.
With the 2028 Paralympic Games on the horizon, these athletes now carry both medals and momentum — and the country will be watching to see how far that momentum carries.
Point of View
Lending each performer a distinct identity. For Thulasimathi Murugesan, appearing twice in the same felicitation — gold in women's doubles and silver in mixed doubles — highlights how India's para-badminton pipeline has matured into a reliable Asian podium presence. With the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics approaching, sustained political visibility for para-athletes can translate into better selection support and sponsorship. CM Sharma's framing of composure under pressure as an athlete's 'true identity' is also a broadly appealing, apolitical message that travels beyond partisan lines.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold for India at Asian Para Games 2026 in badminton?
Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Girishchandra Joshi won the gold medal in women's doubles SL3-SU5 badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026.
How many medals did India win that Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated?
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated five Indian para-athletes who collectively won five medals — one gold, one silver, and three bronzes — across badminton, athletics, and swimming.
What events did Nitesh Kumar compete in at Asian Para Games 2026?
Nitesh Kumar competed in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 badminton event alongside Thulasimathi Murugesan, winning the silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Who is Thulasimathi Murugesan?
Thulasimathi Murugesan is an Indian para-badminton player who competes in SL3-SU5 categories and has won multiple medals at the Asian level, including two medals at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport competition for para-athletes from across Asia, held in the same host city as the Asian Games and governed by the Asian Paralympic Committee.
