Nadda hails Nithya Sre's Silver at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda praised para-badminton player Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan for winning Silver in Women's Singles SH6 at the Asian Para Games 2026, upgrading her Bronze from the 2022 edition in a testament to sustained excellence.
Key Takeaways
Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan won Silver in Women's Singles SH6 para-badminton at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
She had won a Bronze at the 2022 Asian Para Games , making this a direct medal upgrade.
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda publicly congratulated her on October 23, 2026 .
The SH6 classification covers para-badminton players with lower-limb impairments affecting standing balance.
India's para-badminton athletes have shown consistent incremental gains across successive Asian Para Games editions.
From bronze to silver — one step higher on the podium, and a story that keeps getting better. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on Friday, October 23 congratulated para-badminton player Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan on winning the Silver medal in the Women's Singles SH6 category at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling her journey a reflection of 'dedication, resilience and continued excellence.'
A medal upgrade four years in the making
At the 2022 Asian Para Games, Nithya Sre had stepped off the court with a bronze. This time, she has gone one better. The SH6 classification in para-badminton covers players with lower-limb impairments affecting standing balance — athletes who compete with exceptional core strength and court discipline. Nithya's progression from bronze to silver across two editions of the Games is precisely the kind of incremental, hard-won gain that defines elite para-sport careers.
Nadda wrote on X: 'Upgrading her Bronze from 2022 to Silver this time, Nithya's remarkable journey reflects her dedication, resilience and continued excellence in para-badminton.' The congratulatory message puts a senior cabinet minister's voice behind a moment that often risks being buried beneath the churn of mainstream sports coverage.
India's steady climb in para-badminton
Para-badminton has quietly become one of India's more reliable medal-producing disciplines at Asian and global multi-sport events. Indian athletes competing in disability sports have logged incremental gains at successive Asian Para Games editions, a trend this silver — moving Nithya up the medal table from her own previous best — fits squarely within. The Asian Para Games, held every four years across Asia, remain the continent's premier platform for para-athletes and a critical qualifying and ranking arena ahead of the Paralympic cycle.
With events still ongoing at the 2026 Asian Para Games, India's para-badminton contingent will be watched closely for further podium finishes across remaining categories.
Point of View
A space that offers high goodwill at low political cost. The specific call-out of a medal 'upgrade' from bronze to silver signals an awareness of athletic progression, not just a one-off win, lending the endorsement more credibility. More broadly, government visibility around para-sports aligns with India's stated ambitions to build a deeper pipeline in disability sport ahead of future Paralympic cycles. Nithya Sre's story — a player quietly improving edition to edition — is exactly the kind of narrative that sustains that policy framing.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan?
Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan is an Indian para-badminton player who competes in the SH6 category, which covers athletes with lower-limb impairments. She won a Bronze at the 2022 Asian Para Games and upgraded to Silver at the 2026 edition.
What is the SH6 category in para-badminton?
SH6 is a para-badminton classification for players with lower-limb impairments that affect standing balance. Athletes in this category compete while standing and require strong upper-body and core control.
What did Nithya Sre win at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan won the Silver medal in Women's Singles SH6 at the Asian Para Games 2026, improving on her Bronze medal from the 2022 edition.
Why did J. P. Nadda congratulate Nithya Sre?
As Union Health Minister and a senior government figure, J. P. Nadda posted on X to recognise Nithya Sre's Silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2026, highlighting her journey of improvement from bronze to silver across two Games editions.
When are the Asian Para Games 2026 taking place?
The Asian Para Games 2026 are the quadrennial multi-sport event for para-athletes across Asia. Nithya Sre's Silver medal result was reported on October 23, 2026, with events still ongoing.
