Nadda hails Himanshu Nandal's three bronzes at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda praised para swimmer Himanshu Nandal for clinching three bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, including one in the Men's 100m Freestyle S11, calling it a 'remarkable campaign.'
Key Takeaways
Himanshu Nandal won three bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
His final bronze came in the Men's 100m Freestyle S11 event, which caters to athletes with severe visual impairments.
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda publicly congratulated Nandal on October 23, 2026 .
The S11 classification involves near or total blindness, making the achievement especially demanding.
Senior government figures naming individual para athletes reflects India's broader push to mainstream para sport.
Three bronze medals, one swimmer, one remarkable campaign — Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda took to X on Friday, October 23, 2026 to salute para swimmer Himanshu Nandal on closing out the Asian Para Games 2026 with a third bronze, this one in the Men's 100m Freestyle S11 event.
Nandal's S11 freestyle bronze caps a hat-trick of podium finishes
The S11 classification covers swimmers with the most severe visual impairments — athletes who compete in near or total blindness, relying on a 'tapper' to signal the approaching wall. Winning bronze in the 100m freestyle at that level, and doing it three times across a single Games, places Nandal firmly among India's standout para aquatics performers of the cycle.
Nadda's post put it plainly: 'THREE BRONZES, ONE REMARKABLE CAMPAIGN!' — a line that doubles as both congratulation and national scoreboard update. The minister wished Nandal 'continued success in his sporting journey,' signalling expectations that extend well beyond this edition of the Games.
Why government recognition of para sport medals matters
Senior ministers publicly acknowledging para athletes by name — rather than issuing blanket congratulations to a squad — has become a deliberate part of India's push to mainstream para sport. The visibility matters: it signals institutional backing, encourages sponsorship conversations, and tells the next generation of athletes with disabilities that the podium gets noticed at the highest level.
The Asian Para Games sit just below the Paralympic Games in prestige and serve as a key qualifier and testing ground. A swimmer who medals here three times arrives at future Paralympic cycles with credibility, momentum, and — crucially — sustained public attention.
For Himanshu Nandal, the campaign is over. The journey, as Nadda framed it, is very much not.
Point of View
Rather than offering a generic squad shoutout, amplifies the athlete's profile at a moment when Indian para aquatics is still building its commercial and institutional support base. Three bronzes from a single swimmer at a continental Games is the kind of result that, with the right attention, shapes funding and selection narratives ahead of the next Paralympic cycle. The minister's public framing — 'remarkable campaign' — sets a tone the sports ecosystem is likely to echo.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Himanshu Nandal?
Himanshu Nandal is an Indian para swimmer who competes in the S11 classification, which covers athletes with severe visual impairments. He won three bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the S11 classification in para swimming?
The S11 classification is for swimmers with the most severe visual impairments, including those who are completely blind. Competitors use a 'tapper' to signal when they are approaching the wall.
What did JP Nadda say about Himanshu Nandal?
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda congratulated Nandal on his three bronze medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 and wished him 'continued success in his sporting journey.'
How many medals did India's para swimmers win at Asian Para Games 2026?
The research available confirms Himanshu Nandal individually won three bronze medals, including one in the Men's 100m Freestyle S11. Full team totals have not been confirmed.
What are the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games are a major multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities held across Asia. They serve as an important stepping stone toward the Paralympic Games.
