Khattar Hails India's 1-2 Finish in Women's 1500m at Asian Para Games
Synopsis
Soumya and Radha Venkatesh clinched Gold and Silver in the Women's 1500m T12/13 at the Asian Para Games 2026, securing a rare Indian one-two finish. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar hailed the achievement as a testament to the indomitable spirit of India's para-athletes.
Key Takeaways
Soumya won Gold and Radha Venkatesh won Silver in the Women's 1500m T12/13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
The result gave India a top-2 podium sweep — both medals in a single track event — on 20 October 2026 .
The T12/13 classification covers athletes with visual impairments, making the double finish a significant display of India's depth in para-athletics.
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar publicly congratulated the athletes on X, citing 'determination, resilience, and sporting excellence.' India has recorded a steady rise in Asian Para Games medal tallies across successive editions, backed by government investment in para-sport infrastructure.
India sealed another podium sweep at the Asian Para Games 2026 on Tuesday, 20 October, as Soumya and Radha Venkatesh claimed Gold and Silver, respectively, in the Women's 1500m T12/13 event — and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was quick to mark the moment.
Khattar posted on X, calling the result 'another top-2 podium finish for Bharat' and crediting the athletes' 'determination, resilience, and sporting excellence.' The back-to-back podium placement underscores a pattern India's para-sports community has been quietly building for years: show up, and finish on the stand.
Soumya and Radha Venkatesh's Gold-Silver sweep in T12/13
The T12/13 classification covers athletes with visual impairments ranging from partial to near-total vision loss — a category that demands acute spatial awareness, a trusted guide, and extraordinary self-belief across 1,500 metres of track. Both Soumya and Radha Venkatesh delivered on all three counts, finishing first and second to hand India a clean one-two in the event.
The Asian Para Games is the continent's premier multi-sport competition for athletes with disabilities, held under the Asian Paralympic Committee every four years. A double-podium in a single track event is a rare and emphatic statement of depth — not just individual talent.
India's rising arc at continental para-sport competitions
India's medal tallies at successive Asian Para Games editions have climbed steadily, a trajectory backed by expanded government investment in dedicated training infrastructure and formal recognition programmes for para-athletes. A congratulatory post from a senior Union Minister — rather than only a sports ministry communiqué — reflects how mainstream the visibility of para-sport achievement has become in national public life.
Khattar described the result as bringing 'immense pride to the nation' and as a reflection of 'the indomitable spirit of India's para-athletes.' That framing matters: it places para-sport not in a separate, inspirational-story bracket, but squarely within the national sporting conversation.
Two athletes. One race. Both on the podium. India's para-athletics story is no longer a footnote — it is the headline.
Point of View
Where depth across classifications, not just individual stars, drives the tally. Khattar's framing of the result as national pride rather than an 'inspirational story' is itself a quiet policy signal: para-sport is being mainstreamed. The next test is whether athlete-support commitments translate into sustained infrastructure investment beyond the Games cycle.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Gold and Silver in Women's 1500m T12/13 at Asian Para Games 2026?
Soumya won Gold and Radha Venkatesh won Silver for India in the Women's 1500m T12/13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the T12/13 classification in para athletics?
The T12/13 classification covers athletes with visual impairments — ranging from partial to near-total vision loss — who compete in track events, often with the assistance of a guide runner.
What did Manohar Lal Khattar say about India's Asian Para Games result?
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the athletes' performances 'exemplify determination, resilience, and sporting excellence' and that the achievement brings 'immense pride to the nation.'
How often are the Asian Para Games held?
The Asian Para Games are held every four years under the Asian Paralympic Committee, serving as the continent's premier multi-sport competition for athletes with disabilities.
Is India improving its medal count at the Asian Para Games?
Yes, India has recorded a steady improvement in medal tallies at successive Asian Para Games editions, supported by expanded government investment in training facilities and recognition programmes for para-athletes.
