CM Fadnavis hails India's Asian Para Games 2026 medal haul
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis congratulated India's Asian Para Games 2026 champions on 23 October, individually honouring nine medallists including world record-setters Mona Agarwal and Haney, and javelin gold medallist Sumit Antil who threw 72.46m.
Key Takeaways
Mona Agarwal won gold with a world record in the R8-Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Haney set a world record to claim gold in the Men's Javelin Throw F37/38.
Sumit Antil threw 72.46m for gold in Men's Javelin Throw F64/F42/F44.
India won gold across multiple disciplines: Men's 400m T64 (Sandeep), Men's Club Throw F51 (Pranav Soorma), and Men's Singles SL3 badminton (Nitesh Kumar).
Pramod Bhagat and Mahendra Gurjar (59.03m javelin) took silver; Sanjay Sargar and Ajay Kumar won bronze.
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis named each athlete individually in his congratulatory post, reflecting growing political recognition for para sports in India.
Nine champions, a fistful of gold, and at least two world records — Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis captured the scale of India's remarkable performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 in a congratulatory post on Friday, 23 October, naming every medallist by name and honouring each achievement individually.
Gold rush: the world-record performances leading the charge
Mona Agarwal delivered the standout moment in shooting, claiming gold in the R8-Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 event with a world record. In the field, Haney powered to gold in the Men's Javelin Throw F37/38 — also with a world record — while Sumit Antil, already one of India's most celebrated para athletes, launched the javelin to 72.46m to clinch gold in the Men's Javelin Throw F64/F42/F44. Two world records and three gold medals from the javelin and rifle range alone speak to India's depth on the track and in the field.
Sandeep, Pranav, and the full Indian medal board
Sandeep sprinted to gold in the Men's 400m T64 event, while Pranav Soorma won gold in the Men's Club Throw F51. Nitesh Kumar took gold in Men's Singles SL3 badminton, adding another title to what became a commanding individual showing. On the silver side, Mahendra Gurjar threw 59.03m in the Men's Javelin for silver, and Pramod Bhagat — one of India's most decorated para-badminton players — took silver in Men's Singles SL3. Sanjay Sargar and Ajay Kumar rounded out the haul with bronze in the Men's Javelin F64/F42/F44 and Men's 400m T64 respectively.
Why this recognition matters beyond the scorecard
Fadnavis's post did something straightforward but significant — it named every athlete. In an era when para sports still struggle for airtime relative to their able-bodied counterparts, individual recognition from a senior political figure carries real weight. Public acknowledgement by state leaders has grown alongside expanded government support for disability sports in recent years, a pattern that has helped shift the visibility of para athletes in national conversations. With the 2028 Paralympic Games on the horizon, performances like these at a continental championship serve as both a benchmark and a statement of intent.
Point of View
Performances at events like the Asian Para Games are becoming a proving ground for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. Senior leaders who engage with these results early position themselves as champions of an aspirational sporting narrative that resonates across constituencies.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won gold for India at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India's gold medallists at the Asian Para Games 2026 include Mona Agarwal (R8-Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1), Haney (Men's Javelin Throw F37/38), Sumit Antil (Men's Javelin Throw F64/F42/F44), Sandeep (Men's 400m T64), Pranav Soorma (Men's Club Throw F51), and Nitesh Kumar (Men's Singles SL3 badminton).
Did any Indian athlete set a world record at Asian Para Games 2026?
Yes. Mona Agarwal set a world record in the R8-Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 event, and Haney set a world record in the Men's Javelin Throw F37/38, according to CM Devendra Fadnavis's post on 23 October 2026.
How far did Sumit Antil throw the javelin at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Sumit Antil threw the javelin 72.46m to win gold in the Men's Javelin Throw F64/F42/F44 category at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What did Devendra Fadnavis say about the Asian Para Games 2026?
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis posted congratulations on 23 October 2026, naming every Indian medallist individually and wishing them 'continued success and many more milestones on the international stage.'
Who won silver and bronze for India in para badminton at Asian Para Games 2026?
Pramod Bhagat won silver and Nitesh Kumar won gold in Men's Singles SL3 para badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026.
