CM Bhajan Lal congratulates three para swimmers at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated three Indian para-swimmers — Ravi Kartik Budigina (silver, backstroke), Rohit Kumar (bronze, SB8 breaststroke), and Himanshu Nandal (bronze, SB11 breaststroke) — on their medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling their spirit an inspiration for India's youth.
Key Takeaways
Ravi Kartik Budigina won a silver medal in the 100-metre backstroke at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Rohit Kumar claimed a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke (SB8) category.
Himanshu Nandal won a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke (SB11) , competing as a visually impaired athlete.
Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma hailed the trio's achievements as inspiration for India's youth on 22 October 2026 .
India's para-swimming strength reflects years of investment under the Khelo India scheme launched in 2017 .
Three Indian para-swimmers stepped onto the podium at the Asian Para Games 2026, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma was among the first to salute their grit — hailing their medals as a beacon for the country's youth.
Posting on Thursday, 22 October 2026, CM Sharma congratulated Ravi Kartik Budigina on winning a silver medal in the 100-metre backstroke, Rohit Kumar on a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke (SB8), and Himanshu Nandal on a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke (SB11) — all in para-swimming competition. 'Aap sabka yeh jazba aur mehnat' (your spirit and hard work), he wrote, 'is a great inspiration for the youth of the entire country.'
Three medals, three disciplines, one surge of momentum
The trio's haul spans two distinct breaststroke classifications alongside backstroke, reflecting the breadth of India's para-swimming pipeline. SB8 covers athletes with limb impairments or movement restrictions in the arms, legs or trunk, while SB11 covers athletes who are visually impaired or blind — meaning Nandal's bronze carries the additional dimension of competing without sight. Together the three podium finishes signal a deepening bench in Indian para-aquatics, not a single peak performer carrying the load alone.
India's para-sports push — from Khelo India to Asian podiums
India's growing para-sports competitiveness is rooted in a decade-long infrastructure push. The central government's Khelo India scheme, launched in 2017, explicitly included para-sports in its grassroots development mandate, channelling funds toward training centres, coaching, and athlete identification across states. The results have tracked upward through successive Asian Para Games editions — from Jakarta in 2018 to Hangzhou in 2022 — and the 2026 edition appears to be continuing that arc.
Indian political leaders at both the central and state level have made a habit of publicly recognising para-athletes' international successes, a pattern that itself shifts cultural visibility for disability sport. CM Sharma's post, filed under #AsianParaGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat, joins that chorus — but the three names he names are the story. Three swimmers, three events, three flags on the board.
With para-swimming events still running, India's final tally from the pool could climb further before the Games close.
Point of View
Lending policy credibility to continued investment. Expect more state-level announcements on athlete support if India's Asian Para Games medal count holds up through the remaining events.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ravi Kartik Budigina and what medal did he win at Asian Para Games 2026?
Ravi Kartik Budigina is an Indian para-swimmer who won a silver medal in the 100-metre backstroke at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
What is the SB11 classification in para-swimming?
The SB11 classification covers athletes who are visually impaired or blind, competing in breaststroke events at para-sports competitions including the Asian Para Games.
Why did Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma post about Asian Para Games swimmers?
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma congratulated the three Indian para-swimmers on 22 October 2026 to recognise their podium finishes and highlight them as role models for India's youth.
What is the Khelo India scheme and does it cover para-sports?
The Khelo India scheme was launched by the Government of India in 2017 to promote grassroots sports development, and it explicitly includes para-sports in its funding and athlete-identification mandate.
How is India performing in para-swimming at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India won at least three medals in para-swimming at the Asian Para Games 2026 — one silver and two bronze — across backstroke and breaststroke events, suggesting strong depth in the country's para-aquatics programme.
