CM Samrat Choudhary Hails Ravi Budigina's Silver at Asian Para Games
Synopsis
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary congratulated para swimmer Ravi K. Budigina on winning silver in the men's 100m freestyle S13 event at the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a time of 56.68 seconds, calling the feat an elevation of India's global prestige.
Key Takeaways
Budigina won a silver medal in the men's 100m freestyle S13 event at the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
His winning time was 56.68 seconds , a result personally highlighted by Bihar's Chief Minister.
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary issued a public congratulatory message on 19 October 2026 via X.
The S13 classification covers para athletes with visual impairment competing in swimming.
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial continental multi-sport event; the 2026 edition is the fifth in the series.
CM Choudhary framed the achievement as inspiration for India's next generation of athletes to set and pursue bigger goals.
A 56.68-second swim. A silver medal on the international stage. And a moment that Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary says has raised India's prestige to 'new heights.' On Monday, 19 October 2026, CM Choudhary took to X to personally congratulate para swimmer Ravi K. Budigina on winning silver in the men's 100m freestyle S13 category at the 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
In his post, CM Choudhary wrote: 'Heartiest congratulations to Shri Ravi K. Budigina for winning a silver medal with a splendid time of 56.68 seconds in the men's 100m freestyle S13 event at the 5th Asian Para Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This remarkable achievement has elevated India's prestige on the international sports stage to a new height.'
Ravi K. Budigina's silver in the pool
Ravi K. Budigina competed in the S13 classification, which covers athletes with visual impairment, touching the wall in 56.68 seconds to claim silver. The result places him among India's standout para swimmers at a continental level, and the recognition from a sitting Chief Minister underlines how seriously the country's political establishment is now tracking para sports outcomes.
Why Aichi-Nagoya matters for Asian para sport
The Asian Para Games is the continent's premier quadrennial multi-sport event for para athletes, organised under the Asian Paralympic Committee. Aichi-Nagoya is hosting the 5th edition in 2026 — a city-region in Japan with a strong infrastructure legacy from previous major sporting events. For Indian para athletes, the Games have historically been a key platform for global qualification cycles and visibility, with podium finishes feeding directly into the broader ecosystem of support and sponsorship back home.
A political signal beyond the congratulations
Indian leaders — at both the state and national level — have made a habit of publicly amplifying para athlete achievements, a pattern that has grown markedly over the past decade. CM Choudhary's post is part of that broader push: framing Budigina's medal not just as personal glory, but as inspiration for 'the country's emerging athletes to set bigger goals and keep striving to achieve them.' The message signals a Bihar government keen to be seen championing sporting excellence beyond cricket's long shadow.
With India's full Asian Para Games 2026 medal tally still accumulating, Budigina's silver is one bright thread in what could become a landmark chapter for Indian para sport on Asian soil.
Point of View
' the CM ties a single international result to a broader state-level narrative of sporting ambition. For Bihar, a state not traditionally associated with elite aquatic sport, the gesture also carries a soft-power dimension — staking a claim in India's growing para sports story. Expect similar outreach from other state governments as India's Asian Para Games 2026 tally grows.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ravi K. Budigina?
Ravi K. Budigina is an Indian para swimmer who won a silver medal in the men's 100m freestyle S13 category at the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a time of 56.68 seconds.
What is the S13 category in para swimming?
The S13 classification in para swimming is designated for athletes with visual impairment, allowing them to compete on a level playing field at events like the Asian Para Games.
Where are the Asian Para Games 2026 being held?
The 5th Asian Para Games 2026 are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Why did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary congratulate Ravi Budigina?
Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary congratulated Ravi K. Budigina on his silver medal win at the 2026 Asian Para Games, praising the achievement as a moment that has elevated India's prestige on the international sports stage.
What was Ravi Budigina's time in the 100m freestyle S13 event?
Ravi K. Budigina clocked 56.68 seconds in the men's 100m freestyle S13 event to win the silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2026.
