CM Saini Hails Nandal and Dalal's Bronze at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini congratulated para-swimmer Himanshu Nandal on his second medal — a bronze in men's 100m breaststroke SB11 — and para-athlete Karamjyoti Dalal on a personal-best bronze in women's discus throw F55 at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Key Takeaways
Himanshu Nandal won bronze in men's 100m breaststroke SB11 at the Asian Para Games 2026 — his second medal at the Games.
Karamjyoti Dalal won bronze in women's discus throw F55 with a personal-best performance.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini congratulated both athletes in a post on 21 October 2026 .
Saini addressed the athletes in Haryanvi dialect , calling them a source of regional pride.
Both athletes compete in para-sport classifications requiring exceptional physical adaptation.
Two Haryana para-athletes stepped onto the podium at the Asian Para Games 2026, and Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini was quick to celebrate them on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
In an X post laced with proud Haryanvi — 'म्हारे छोरे-छोरियां म्हं सै दम!' ('Our boys and girls have what it takes!') — CM Saini congratulated Himanshu Nandal on winning bronze in the men's 100m breaststroke SB11 event, his second medal at these Games. He also hailed Karamjyoti Dalal, calling her 'लाडली बेटी' ('beloved daughter'), for a bronze in the women's discus throw F55 — sealed with a personal-best performance.
Nandal's Double: a para-swimmer delivering twice
Himanshu Nandal's bronze in the breaststroke is his second podium finish at the 2026 Asian Para Games, underscoring a swimmer who does not just show up — he keeps delivering. The SB11 classification is for visually impaired swimmers, meaning Nandal competes without the visual cues most athletes take for granted. Back-to-back medals in that context is a statement of discipline and precision that goes far beyond the pool.Dalal's personal best in the discus circle
Karamjyoti Dalal competes in the F55 category, which covers athletes with significant impairment in arm function or coordination — a classification where throwing technique demands extraordinary adaptation. Her personal-best mark alongside the bronze means she did not just get on the podium; she raised her own ceiling to do it. That combination — medal plus personal best — is the kind of performance that earns a state chief minister's social media shoutout.Haryana's pattern of para-sports recognition
Haryana has consistently produced para-athletes who compete at Asian and global level, and state leadership has made a point of publicly recognising their results. CM Saini's post — complete with the regional Haryanvi dialect that signals genuine local pride rather than a generic press release — fits a pattern of the state positioning itself as a nursery for champions with disabilities, not just able-bodied ones. The hashtag #Cheer4Bharat broadens the frame: these are Haryana's own, but their medals belong to the country. With the Asian Para Games 2026 still under way, the question is simple: how many more Haryana names will land on this list before the closing ceremony?Point of View
Including para-sport, has become a core part of the state's identity, and state leaders have consistently leveraged international podium finishes to reinforce that narrative. Recognising a personal-best performance by Dalal alongside a medal signals awareness that sporting excellence is measured in multiple dimensions. As India's para-sports infrastructure matures, this kind of high-visibility political endorsement also nudges the public conversation toward greater inclusion of athletes with disabilities in the national sporting story.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Himanshu Nandal?
Himanshu Nandal is a Haryana para-swimmer who competes in the visually impaired SB11 classification and won two bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
What event did Karamjyoti Dalal win bronze in?
Karamjyoti Dalal won bronze in the women's discus throw F55 at the Asian Para Games 2026 , setting a personal best in the process.
What is the SB11 classification in para-swimming?
SB11 is a para-swimming classification for athletes who are visually impaired, requiring them to compete without sight-based orientation cues.
What is the F55 classification in para-athletics?
F55 is a para-athletics field classification for athletes with significant impairment in arm or hand function, used in throwing events such as discus, shot put, and javelin.
Where are the Asian Para Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Para Games 2026 is the multi-sport para competition for Asian nations; the specific host city details are not confirmed in the available information, but the Games are ongoing as of October 2026 .
