Nadda Hails India's Discus Double at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Pranav Soorma (TOPS) won Gold and Ram Ratan Singh won Silver in Men's Discus Throw F51/52/53 at Asian Para Games 2026, completing another podium sweep for India. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda hailed the duo's achievement and called it an inspiration for future champions.
Key Takeaways
Pranav Soorma won Gold in Men's Discus Throw F51/52/53 at Asian Para Games 2026 .
Ram Ratan Singh won Silver in the same event, completing a podium sweep for India.
Soorma is a beneficiary of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) , which provides elite athletes financial and training support.
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda publicly congratulated both athletes on October 20, 2026 .
The double-podium finish reflects India's consistent upward trajectory in para-sports medal counts at the Asian Para Games.
A golden sweep in the discus pit — and India's para-sports story just got another defining chapter. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, congratulated Pranav Soorma and Ram Ratan Singh after the two athletes delivered a stunning one-two finish in the Men's Discus Throw F51/52/53 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, bringing home Gold and Silver respectively.
Gold for Soorma, Silver for Singh — a podium sweep in the discus pit
Pranav Soorma, who trains under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) — the government's flagship programme providing elite athletes with financial support, coaching, and competitive exposure — claimed the top spot, while Ram Ratan Singh stepped onto the second place on the podium. The F51/52/53 classification covers athletes with significant upper-limb and trunk impairments who compete from a seated or otherwise adapted position, making the technical precision required all the more remarkable.
Nadda called the achievement a 'double podium glory for India,' adding that their 'exceptional talent and determination are truly commendable' and expressing hope that the feat would 'inspire our budding champions.' The back-to-back finish also extends what the minister described as 'another podium sweep for India' at these Games — suggesting the national squad has been consistently locking out medal positions across disciplines.
TOPS and the architecture behind India's para-sports rise
Soorma's presence on the TOPS roster is more than a footnote. The scheme, designed to bridge the gap between raw talent and world-class results, has quietly become a cornerstone of India's international medal strategy — covering para-athletes alongside able-bodied Olympians. Access to foreign training camps, world-class equipment, and monthly stipends under TOPS has allowed athletes who previously trained under constrained conditions to compete on equal technical footing with better-resourced rivals.
India's trajectory at the Asian Para Games has tracked steadily upward since the 2010 edition, a trend underpinned by exactly this kind of institutional investment. Each medal cycle has added names to a growing roster of para-athletes who are household faces in the making.
What the double podium signals for the Paralympic pipeline
A one-two finish in a track-and-field throwing event is not luck — it is depth. When a country can field two athletes capable of occupying the top two spots in an Asian-level field, the signal to selectors and coaches is that the pipeline is working. With the next Paralympic cycle firmly in view, performances like today's will shape selection discussions and funding decisions for months to come.
For Soorma and Singh, the medals land as a statement. For India's para-sports programme, they land as a promise.
Point of View
Not as a footnote. The TOPS mention is deliberate: it ties institutional investment directly to podium results, building a political and administrative case for sustained funding. As the Paralympic cycle approaches, such high-visibility recognition also applies pressure on the sports bureaucracy to keep the pipeline intact. The one-two finish in a technical throwing discipline is exactly the kind of depth marker that moves para-sports from 'feel-good stories' to 'serious medal programmes' in policy conversations.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pranav Soorma?
Pranav Soorma is an Indian para-athlete who competes in discus throw and is supported by the government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). He won Gold in the Men's Discus Throw F51/52/53 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the F51/52/53 classification in para-athletics?
The F51/52/53 classifications cover field athletes with significant upper-limb and trunk impairments who typically compete from a wheelchair or seated throwing frame, requiring adapted technique and exceptional upper-body strength.
What is the TOPS scheme in India?
The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) is a Government of India programme that provides elite athletes — including para-athletes — with financial assistance, world-class coaching, access to foreign training camps, and equipment support to help them compete at the highest international level.
How has India performed at the Asian Para Games historically?
India has recorded a progressive improvement in its medal tally at the Asian Para Games since the 2010 edition, supported by dedicated athlete development programmes such as TOPS and increased government investment in para-sports infrastructure.
Why did J. P. Nadda comment on the Asian Para Games medal?
As Union Health Minister and BJP national president, J. P. Nadda regularly recognises achievements by Indian athletes to highlight government support for sports programmes. His post also specifically noted Pranav Soorma's TOPS backing, linking policy investment to competitive outcomes.
