Karnataka lauds Soumya, Radha Venkatesh for Asian Para Games 2026 gold, silver
Synopsis
A 16-year-old visually impaired girl from Chamarajanagar who lost both parents and trains at a school for the blind just won gold at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan — and her Karnataka teammate Radha Venkatesh took silver in the same race. The state government has responded with formal recognition, and Radha already holds a government job under special athlete-recruitment provisions.
Key Takeaways
Soumya , 16, from Chamarajanagar , won the gold medal in women's 1500m T12/T13 at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan with a time of 5:12.39 .
Radha Venkatesh claimed the silver medal in the same event, finishing in 5:30.90 ; she previously won medals at the 2018 Asian Para Games .
Deputy Chief Minister G.
Parameshwara congratulated both athletes and acknowledged guide runners Bharath Kumar and Govind Solanki .
Radha is among 11 sportspersons appointed by the Karnataka government under special recruitment provisions; she serves as a Labour Officer in the State Labour Department.
Karnataka's gold-and-silver sweep in a single event is a rare para-athletic double at an Asian Games edition.
Karnataka athletes Soumya and Radha Venkatesh returned national heroes on 19 October 2026 after claiming gold and silver respectively in the women's 1500m T12/T13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara formally congratulated both athletes, calling their performances a testament to determination and sporting excellence.
Soumya's Historic Gold
Soumya crossed the finish line in a time of 5:12.39 to claim the gold medal — a remarkable feat for the 16-year-old from Chamarajanagar, who is visually impaired and trains at the Deepa Academy School for the Blind. Having lost both her parents, her journey to the top of the Asian podium is widely being described as one of the most inspiring stories in Indian para-athletics this year.
Parameshwara also acknowledged the critical role of Soumya's guide runner, Bharath Kumar, and coaches Vikram, Roshan, Bharath and Yogesh of the Indian Athletic Academy, whose sustained guidance and support were integral to her achievement.
Radha Venkatesh's Silver and Career Recognition
Radha Venkatesh secured the silver medal in the same event, finishing in 5:30.90. Her performance adds to a decorated career that includes medals at the 2018 Asian Para Games, making her a consistent force in Indian para-athletics across two editions of the continental games.
Notably, Radha is among 11 accomplished sportspersons appointed by the Karnataka government under special recruitment provisions that recognise medal-winning athletes. She currently serves as a Labour Officer in the State Labour Department. The Deputy Chief Minister cited her appointment as a direct reflection of the government's commitment to offering athletes career security alongside sporting opportunity. Guide runner Govind Solanki was also commended for his indispensable support.
Karnataka Government's Commitment to Para-Athletics
Parameshwara, who holds the Revenue, Youth Empowerment and Sports portfolios, underlined that the state government remains committed to nurturing young para-athletes and providing them with pathways to a secure future. This comes amid a broader national push to raise India's profile in para-sports, with the country fielding competitive contingents at successive Asian Para Games editions.
The double-podium finish by Karnataka athletes in a single event — both gold and silver — is a rare achievement that underscores the depth of para-athletic talent the state has developed in recent years. Both Soumya and Radha are expected to be considered for state honours in the upcoming sporting awards cycle.
Point of View
Visually impaired, trained at a school for the blind, gold medallist at 16 — is exactly the kind of narrative that India's para-sports infrastructure rarely produces and even more rarely supports systematically. The Karnataka government's recognition of Radha Venkatesh through a government job is a model worth replicating nationally, yet it applies to only 11 athletes in a state of over 60 million. The real question is whether today's applause translates into sustained coaching ecosystems, not just post-victory appointments. India's para-athletics podium tally has grown, but its grassroots identification and retention pipeline remains thin.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Karnataka athletes achieve at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Soumya won the gold medal and Radha Venkatesh won the silver medal in the women's 1500m T12/T13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan. Soumya completed the race in 5:12.39 and Radha in 5:30.90.
Who is Soumya and why is her story significant?
Soumya is a 16-year-old visually impaired athlete from Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, who trains at the Deepa Academy School for the Blind. She lost both her parents, making her gold-medal performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 an especially compelling story of resilience.
Has Radha Venkatesh won at the Asian Para Games before?
Yes, Radha Venkatesh has previously won medals at the 2018 Asian Para Games, making the 2026 silver her second podium finish at the continental para-games.
How has the Karnataka government recognised Radha Venkatesh?
Radha Venkatesh is among 11 sportspersons appointed by the Karnataka government under special recruitment provisions for medal-winning athletes. She currently serves as a Labour Officer in the State Labour Department.
Who supported Soumya and Radha at the Asian Para Games?
Soumya was supported by guide runner Bharath Kumar and coaches Vikram, Roshan, Bharath and Yogesh of the Indian Athletic Academy. Radha Venkatesh was supported by guide runner Govind Solanki.
