CM Fadnavis Hails India's Gold & Silver at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
At the Asian Para Games 2026, Pranav Soorma won gold with an Asian-record 11.66m discus throw and Ram Ratan Singh claimed silver with 10.35m in the Men's F51/52/53 Final. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis celebrated the historic 1-2 finish for Indian para-athletics.
Key Takeaways
Pranav Soorma won gold in the Men's Discus Throw F51/52/53 Final at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a throw of 11.66 metres , setting a new Asian record .
Ram Ratan Singh claimed silver with a throw of 10.35 metres , completing an all-Indian 1-2 on the podium.
The result was celebrated by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on October 20, 2026 .
The F51/52/53 classification covers para-athletes with significant upper-limb or trunk impairment competing from a seated position.
India's para-athletics medal tally at the Asian Para Games has grown across successive editions, reflecting expanded training and government support.
India rewrote the record books at the Asian Para Games 2026 on Tuesday, October 20, as Pranav Soorma launched his discus to a stunning 11.66 metres — a new Asian record — to claim gold, while compatriot Ram Ratan Singh sealed silver with a 10.35-metre throw in the Men's Discus Throw F51/52/53 Final. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was quick to celebrate, calling it 'history rewritten in gold and silver' for Indian para-athletics.
A throw that shattered an Asian benchmark
Pranav Soorma's gold-winning effort of 11.66m did not just top the podium — it set a new Asian record in the F51/52/53 classification, a category that accommodates athletes with significant upper-limb or trunk impairment who compete seated. That kind of technical precision under pressure is what separates a podium finish from a moment that outlasts the Games themselves. CM Fadnavis praised both athletes for their 'sheer dedication and perseverance', noting the achievement had 'made the entire nation proud.'
Ram Ratan Singh's silver completes an Indian 1-2
Ram Ratan Singh's silver-winning throw of 10.35m completed a clean Indian sweep of the top two spots on the podium — a rare feat in any para-athletics discipline. A combined gold-and-silver haul in a single final represents exactly the kind of depth in para-sport that national coaches and selectors have been working to build across multiple training cycles. Both athletes now add Asian Para Games medals to India's growing para-athletics résumé.
India's expanding para-sports footprint
India's participation and medal haul at the Asian Para Games has grown with each successive edition, backed by increased government funding and dedicated training infrastructure for para-athletes. State governments, including Maharashtra, have played a visible role in spotlighting these achievements — amplifying athletes who have historically competed under the public radar. With several events still to conclude at the 2026 Games, India's medal tally is expected to climb further, and the performances here feed directly into selection conversations for the next Paralympic cycle.
Point of View
Not just individual standouts. For a senior political figure like CM Fadnavis to publicly amplify the result reflects a broader shift in how state and central governments engage with para-sport — recognition is increasingly policy-adjacent, feeding into funding narratives ahead of Paralympic cycles. Soorma's Asian record also places India on a stronger footing for the global para-athletics calendar. The key question now is whether this momentum translates into structural improvements in training infrastructure rather than remaining a moment of celebratory optics.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pranav Soorma?
Pranav Soorma is an Indian para-athlete who competes in the discus throw F51/52/53 category. He won gold at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a throw of 11.66 metres, setting a new Asian record.
What is the F51/52/53 classification in para-athletics?
The F51/52/53 classification covers athletes with significant upper-limb, trunk, or lower-limb impairment who compete in throwing events from a seated position. The categories reflect varying degrees of functional ability.
What did Ram Ratan Singh achieve at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Ram Ratan Singh won the silver medal in the Men's Discus Throw F51/52/53 Final at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a throw of 10.35 metres, joining Pranav Soorma on the podium for a 1-2 Indian finish.
Where are the Asian Para Games 2026 being held?
The specific host city of the Asian Para Games 2026 has not been confirmed in the available information. The Games are organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee as a multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities across Asia.
Why did CM Devendra Fadnavis congratulate the para-athletes?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated Pranav Soorma and Ram Ratan Singh on their gold and silver medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling it 'history rewritten in gold and silver' and citing their dedication to Indian para-athletics.
