CM Samrat Choudhary hails India's para bronze wins at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary congratulated para badminton player Sanjana Kumari and para table tennis pair Shubham Wadhwa and Bhavina Patel on winning bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling their achievement a proud moment for every Indian.
Key Takeaways
Sanjana Kumari won bronze in Women's Singles SL3 para badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Shubham Wadhwa and Bhavina Patel claimed bronze in Mixed Doubles Class XD7 para table tennis.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary extended public congratulations on 22 October 2026 .
Bhavina Patel is an established Indian para table tennis star with prior Paralympic representation.
The post used hashtags #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianParaGames2026 , aligning with the national athlete-support campaign.
Three Indian para athletes stepped onto the podium at the Asian Para Games 2026, and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was among the first political voices to salute their achievement — extending congratulations on Thursday, 22 October 2026 to shuttler Sanjana Kumari, table tennis duo Shubham Wadhwa and Bhavina Patel, all bronze medallists.
CM Choudhary posted in Hindi, writing: 'एशियन पैरा गेम्स 2026 में महिला एकल SL3 पैरा बैडमिंटन स्पर्धा में कांस्य पदक जीतने पर संजना कुमारी जी तथा पैरा टेबल टेनिस मिक्स्ड डबल्स क्लास XD7 स्पर्धा में कांस्य पदक अपने नाम करने पर शुभम वाधवा जी और भाविना पटेल जी को हार्दिक बधाई।' ('Heartfelt congratulations to Sanjana Kumari for winning a bronze medal in the Women's Singles SL3 Para Badminton event, and to Shubham Wadhwa and Bhavina Patel for claiming bronze in the Para Table Tennis Mixed Doubles Class XD7 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.')
Sanjana, Shubham, and Bhavina's medals explained
Sanjana Kumari clinched bronze in the Women's Singles SL3 category of para badminton — a classification for athletes with lower-limb impairment who compete on a half-court. Across the net in a different sport entirely, Shubham Wadhwa and Bhavina Patel paired up in the Mixed Doubles Class XD7 para table tennis event, adding another bronze to India's tally.
Bhavina Patel is one of India's most decorated para table tennis players, having previously represented the country at the Paralympic Games, where her performances brought sustained national attention to the sport. Her partnership with Wadhwa at these Games adds another chapter to that record.
Why political leaders are watching para sport closely
The congratulatory gesture follows a well-established pattern: senior Indian political figures publicly acknowledging para-sport medals to signal institutional support for athletes with disabilities. That attention has grown markedly since the 2010s, tracking India's improving performance at global para competitions.
CM Choudhary framed the medals not just as personal victories but as a moment of collective national pride — 'देश का मान बढ़ाने का यह पल निश्चित रूप से देशवासियों के लिए यादगार रहेगा' ('this moment of raising the nation's honour will certainly be memorable for every Indian'). The hashtags #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianParaGames2026 anchored the post within the broader national cheer campaign.
With the Games still under way, all eyes are on India's final medal count and whether the Sports Ministry follows with formal recognition for the athletes.
Point of View
And it lets leaders position themselves as champions of inclusive sport. For CM Choudhary, the post is a low-cost, high-visibility gesture that fits neatly into the BJP's broader 'Cheer4Bharat' branding around international games. The pattern also reflects a structural shift — para sport is no longer an afterthought in national sporting narratives, and political engagement mirrors that rising status.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bhavina Patel?
Bhavina Patel is an Indian para table tennis player who has represented India at the Paralympic Games and other top international competitions, making her one of the country's best-known para athletes.
What medal did Sanjana Kumari win at Asian Para Games 2026?
Sanjana Kumari won a bronze medal in the Women's Singles SL3 para badminton event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the SL3 classification in para badminton?
SL3 is a para badminton classification for athletes with lower-limb impairment who have limited movement, and they compete on a half-court singles format.
What event did Shubham Wadhwa and Bhavina Patel win bronze in?
Shubham Wadhwa and Bhavina Patel won bronze in the Mixed Doubles Class XD7 event in para table tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Why did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary congratulate para athletes?
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary congratulated Sanjana Kumari, Shubham Wadhwa, and Bhavina Patel on their bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, citing their contribution to India's medal tally and national pride.
