CM Samrat Choudhary Hails Narwal, Malik Silver Medals at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary congratulated para shooter Manish Narwal and powerlifter Ashok Kumar Malik on winning silver medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling their achievements a moment of national pride.
Key Takeaways
Manish Narwal won silver in the men's 10-metre Air Pistol SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
Ashok Kumar Malik won silver in the men's 65 kg Para Powerlifting category at the same Games.
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary publicly congratulated both athletes on October 20, 2026 .
CM Choudhary described the medals as 'a moment of pride and joy for crores of people across the country.' India has recorded steady growth in para-sports medal counts at Asian Para Games across recent editions.
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event for Asian athletes with disabilities.
Two Indian para athletes climbed the podium at the Asian Para Games 2026 on Tuesday, October 20 — and Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary was quick to salute their achievement, calling the silverware a moment of pride for crores of Indians.
Shooter Manish Narwal claimed silver in the men's 10-metre Air Pistol SH1 event, while powerlifter Ashok Kumar Malik secured silver in the men's 65 kg Para Powerlifting category. Two disciplines. Two medals. One shared statement about India's rising para-sports ambition.
What Narwal and Malik's Silvers Mean
CM Choudhary posted his congratulations in Hindi, writing: 'Aapki mehnat aur hausle ne Bharat ka maan badhaya hai' — 'Your hard work and courage have raised India's honour.' He framed the medals not merely as sporting results but as 'a moment of pride and joy for crores of people across the country.' It is the kind of recognition that matters beyond the medal stand: national-level visibility for para athletes who spend years training in near-anonymity.
Manish Narwal is one of India's most decorated para shooters in the SH1 pistol category — a class designed for athletes with impairment in the arm or hand, who shoot one-handed. He has represented India at the highest levels of international competition, and a continental silver reinforces his standing among Asia's elite. Ashok Kumar Malik, competing in the demanding 65 kg powerlifting class, adds another name to a growing roster of Indian para athletes making their mark on the Asian stage.
India's Steadily Growing Para-Sports Footprint
The Asian Para Games, held every four years for athletes with disabilities across the continent, serve as a crucial proving ground between Paralympic cycles. India's performance at these Games has tracked upward over recent editions, with more athletes qualifying, more medals converting, and more state governments taking notice. Official congratulations from chief ministers and senior politicians — once rare for para sport — have become more consistent, a small but telling indicator of shifting institutional attitudes.
For a country of 1.4 billion, the infrastructure supporting para athletes remains a work in progress. But every silver and gold won at a continental meet adds pressure — in the best possible way — on administrators to invest more in coaching, equipment, and classification pathways. Narwal and Malik's performances on October 20, 2026 are exactly the kind of results that make that case.
India's para contingent still has more events to contest at the 2026 Games. The medal tally is not closed. The story is still being written.
Point of View
Signalling that disability sport is no longer treated as a footnote to mainstream athletics. For Narwal and Malik, the recognition carries policy weight — athlete visibility at this level historically correlates with improved funding cycles and award nominations. The real test will be whether the applause translates into structural support before the next Paralympic cycle.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manish Narwal?
Manish Narwal is an Indian para shooter who competes in the SH1 pistol category — designed for athletes with impairment in the arm or hand. He is one of India's most recognised para shooters at the international level and won silver in the men's 10-metre Air Pistol SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the SH1 category in para shooting?
SH1 is a para shooting classification for athletes with a physical impairment in one arm or hand, requiring them to shoot one-handed. It includes pistol and rifle events and is a recognised class at Paralympic and Asian Para Games competitions.
Who is Ashok Kumar Malik?
Ashok Kumar Malik is an Indian para powerlifter competing in the 65 kg category. He won a silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 in the men's 65 kg para powerlifting event.
What are the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games are a quadrennial multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities from across Asia, organised under the Asian Paralympic Committee. They serve as a major continental proving ground between Paralympic cycles.
What did Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary say about the medals?
Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary congratulated both athletes on social media on October 20, 2026, saying their hard work and courage had raised India's honour and that their success was 'not limited to just winning medals, but a moment of pride and joy for crores of people across the country.'
