CM Nayab Saini hails Deepthi Jeevanji's Asian Para Games gold
Synopsis
Deepthi Jeevanji defended her Asian Para Games title in the Women's 400m T20, setting a new Games record of 56.36 seconds. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini celebrated the feat as a historic moment of national pride.
Key Takeaways
Deepthi Jeevanji won gold in the Women's 400m T20 at Asian Para Games 2026 , successfully defending her title.
Her winning time of 56.36 seconds set a new Games record.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini publicly congratulated her on X on 20 October 2026 .
The T20 category covers para athletes with intellectual impairments.
The Asian Para Games are organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee and are the continent's top multi-sport para event.
A defending champion rewrote her own record and proved she is the undisputed queen of the track. Deepthi Jeevanji retained her title in the Women's 400m T20 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, clocking a stunning 56.36 seconds — a new Games record — and drawing praise from the highest offices across India.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini took to X on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, to congratulate the athlete, calling her performance 'स्वर्णिम प्रदर्शन' — a golden performance. 'Retaining your title while setting a new Games record is a testament to your talent, hard work, and determination,' he wrote, adding that the achievement is 'a moment of pride for every Indian.'
56.36 seconds: the number that rewrites the record books
The T20 classification in para-athletics covers athletes with intellectual impairments. Winning gold in this category at a continental Games is already a statement; doing it while lowering the existing Games record makes it historic. Deepthi's 56.36-second run in the 400m is the new benchmark every competitor on the continent will now chase.
The Asian Para Games are organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee and serve as the continent's premier multi-sport event for para athletes — a crucial stepping stone toward the Paralympic Games on the global stage.
Haryana's para-sports pride on the continental stage
Haryana has long punched above its weight in Indian sport, producing Olympic and Paralympic medallists in disciplines from wrestling to athletics. CM Saini's public congratulation reflects a broader pattern of official recognition for para-sports achievements — state governments increasingly treat Paralympic and para-Games medals with the same fanfare once reserved exclusively for able-bodied champions. That shift in visibility matters: it shapes funding conversations and inspires the next generation of para athletes.
Point of View
The public visibility they provide translates into real policy pressure for better infrastructure and prize-money parity. Deepthi Jeevanji's back-to-back Asian Para Games gold, combined with a Games record, gives Haryana a powerful symbol to anchor that narrative. Whether the applause converts into structural investment in para-athletics development will be the real test.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Deepthi Jeevanji?
Deepthi Jeevanji is an Indian para athlete who competes in the T20 classification (intellectual impairment) in track events, particularly the 400 metres. She is a gold medallist at the Asian Para Games.
What is the T20 category in para athletics?
The T20 classification in para-athletics is for athletes with intellectual impairments. The 'T' stands for track, and the number denotes the specific impairment category.
What record did Deepthi Jeevanji set at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Deepthi Jeevanji set a new Games record of 56.36 seconds in the Women's 400m T20 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What are the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games are a continental multi-sport event for para athletes, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee. They are held every four years and serve as a key qualifier platform ahead of the Paralympic Games.
Why did Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini congratulate Deepthi Jeevanji?
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini congratulated Deepthi Jeevanji on defending her Asian Para Games title and setting a new Games record of 56.36 seconds in the Women's 400m T20 on 20 October 2026.
