CM Dhami Hails Praveen Kumar's Gold, Bunty's Silver at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated para-athletes Praveen Kumar and Bunty after they won gold and silver respectively in the men's high jump T44/64 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 hosted by Japan.
Key Takeaways
Praveen Kumar won the gold medal in men's high jump T44/64 at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan.
Bunty claimed the silver medal in the same event, giving India a one-two finish.
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami publicly congratulated both athletes on X on October 21, 2026 .
The T44/64 classification covers athletes with lower-limb impairments including limb deficiency and leg length difference.
The Asian Para Games serves as a key continental qualifier and performance benchmark between Paralympic cycles.
Two Indian para-athletes climbed the podium in Japan on Wednesday, October 21, 2026 — and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was among the first to salute the moment, congratulating Praveen Kumar on a gold medal and Bunty on a silver in the men's high jump T44/64 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Dhami posted on X, writing 'आप दोनों ने अपने शानदार प्रदर्शन से देश का मान बढ़ाया है' — 'Both of you have raised the nation's pride with your outstanding performance.' The message, tagged #AsianParaGames2026 and #Cheer4Bharat, went out at 9:43 AM IST, within hours of the competition result.
Gold and Silver on the Same Bar
The T44/64 classification in para-athletics covers athletes with a limb deficiency, leg length difference, or impaired muscle power in one or both legs — a class that demands extraordinary technique and explosive power from a modified run-up. Having two Indians finish first and second in the same event in a continental championship is a rare double for the country's para-sport programme.
The Asian Para Games, held every four years alongside the Asian Games cycle, serve as a key proving ground between Paralympic editions. A podium sweep of two medals in a single track-and-field event signals growing depth — not just individual brilliance — in India's para-athletics pipeline.
Para Sports and the Politics of Visibility
Indian political leaders have increasingly used social media congratulations to para-athletes as a deliberate visibility tool — a shift that accelerated sharply after India's expanded Paralympic campaigns in recent years drew record viewership and public pride. These public salutes serve a dual purpose: honouring athletes who have historically operated in the margins of mainstream sports coverage, and underlining a broader political narrative of inclusive national achievement.
Chief Minister Dhami's post fits squarely into that pattern. As para-sport gains competitive credibility and media traction across Asia, state and central leaders framing these wins as national pride moments helps move para-athletics from footnote to headline — one congratulatory post at a time.
With India's full medal count from Japan 2026 still accumulating, Praveen Kumar and Bunty's high jump double could be the opening act of a stronger-than-expected haul.
Point of View
Not just individual talent, in India's para-athletics programme. Chief Minister Dhami's prompt public congratulation reflects a conscious political strategy to align BJP-led state governments with para-sport success — a visibility campaign that has intensified since India's Paralympic performances began drawing mainstream attention. The broader arc here is a maturing para-sports ecosystem where podium results increasingly earn the same political capital as able-bodied medal wins. If India sustains this momentum through the remainder of the Japan games, it will further pressure policymakers to institutionalise para-sport support beyond ceremonial social media posts.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the gold medal in men's high jump T44/64 at Asian Para Games 2026?
Praveen Kumar of India won the gold medal in the men's high jump T44/64 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Japan.
Who won silver in men's high jump at Asian Para Games 2026?
Bunty, an Indian para-athlete, won the silver medal in the men's high jump T44/64 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Where are the Asian Para Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Para Games 2026 are being hosted by Japan.
What is the T44/64 classification in para-athletics?
The T44/64 class covers athletes with a limb deficiency, leg length difference, or impaired muscle power in one or both legs who compete in running and jumping events.
What did CM Dhami say about the Indian para-athletes?
CM Dhami said both athletes 'raised the nation's pride with their outstanding performance,' congratulating them via an X post on October 21, 2026.
