Mandaviya hails Para Games bronze for Nithya Sre, Krishna Nagar
Synopsis
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya congratulated Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan and Krishna Nagar on clinching bronze in Badminton Mixed Doubles SH6 at the Asian Para Games 2026, adding to India's growing para-sports medal tally.
Key Takeaways
Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan and Krishna Nagar won bronze in Badminton Mixed Doubles SH6 at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya publicly congratulated the pair on 22 October 2026 .
Krishna Nagar is a former Paralympic gold medallist in men's singles SH6, won at the Tokyo 2020 Games .
The SH6 classification is designated for athletes with short stature.
India has consistently grown its medal count at successive Asian Para Games editions, with badminton a key contributor.
A bronze medal in badminton mixed doubles — and two para athletes just wrote their names into India's growing Asian Para Games story. Union Labour and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday, 22 October 2026, congratulated Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan and Krishna Nagar on winning the bronze medal in the Badminton Mixed Doubles SH6 category at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Nithya Sre and Krishna Nagar's SH6 bronze
The pair competed in the SH6 classification — a category designed for athletes with short stature — and secured India's bronze in the mixed doubles discipline. Minister Mandaviya's post, carrying the hashtag #Cheer4Bharat, extended 'heartiest congratulations' to both athletes, amplifying the result from the government's highest sporting office.
Krishna Nagar is among India's most decorated para badminton players, having previously claimed gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in the men's singles SH6 category — a performance that announced him as one of the sport's elite names. Pairing with Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan in mixed doubles adds another dimension to his medal cabinet.
India's expanding footprint at the Asian Para Games
The Asian Para Games, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee every four years, is the continent's premier multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities. India has steadily increased its medal tally across successive editions, and para badminton has emerged as one of the country's most reliable podium disciplines.
Each government acknowledgement from the Sports Ministry reinforces the policy signal that para athletes occupy the same recognition tier as their Olympic counterparts — a shift that gathered pace after India's landmark performances at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games.
Point of View
Where individual stars like Krishna Nagar are now building winning partnerships rather than competing in isolation. For the government, each high-profile acknowledgement strengthens the political narrative around inclusive sporting investment ahead of the next Paralympic cycle. The pattern of ministerial posts doubling as athlete visibility campaigns is now a consistent feature of India's sports-diplomacy toolkit.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan and Krishna Nagar?
Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan is an Indian para badminton player who competed in the Asian Para Games 2026. Krishna Nagar is a prominent Indian para badminton player, best known for winning gold in men's singles SH6 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games . Together they won bronze in Badminton Mixed Doubles SH6 at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the SH6 category in para badminton?
The SH6 classification in para badminton is designated for athletes with short stature. Players in this category compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events at major para-sport competitions including the Paralympic Games and Asian Para Games.
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee once every four years. It is the premier para-sport competition on the Asian continent and serves as a key qualifier platform in the broader Paralympic calendar.
What did Mansukh Mandaviya say about India's para badminton bronze?
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya posted 'Heartiest congratulations' to Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan and Krishna Nagar on winning the bronze medal in Badminton Mixed Doubles SH6 at the Asian Para Games 2026 , using the hashtag #Cheer4Bharat .
How has India performed in para badminton at international events?
India has been a strong performer in para badminton at international level. Krishna Nagar 's gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in men's singles SH6 is among the landmark results. India has also recorded increasing medal tallies at successive Asian Para Games editions across multiple disciplines.
