Hardeep Puri hails Manish Narwal's Silver at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri congratulated para shooter Manish Narwal on winning silver in the Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final at the Asian Para Games 2026, where Narwal scored an impressive 233.7 to claim the podium finish.
Key Takeaways
Manish Narwal won silver in the Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Narwal's winning score was 233.7 , a strong benchmark in the SH1 pistol category.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri congratulated Narwal on October 20, 2026 .
Narwal previously won silver in the same discipline at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics .
The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) , under Puri's ministry, is a key institutional backer of Indian athletes.
India's medal tally at the Asian Para Games 2026 continues to grow with ongoing events.
Manish Narwal delivered a precision performance on the shooting range, claiming silver in the Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a score of 233.7 — and Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was quick to salute the achievement on Tuesday, October 20.
Narwal's 233.7 and what it means on the continental stage
A score of 233.7 in the SH1 category — reserved for athletes with impairment in the shooting arm or hand — is a demanding benchmark at the continental level. Narwal, who competes with a pistol in his non-dominant hand, has built a reputation as one of Asia's most consistent para pistol shooters. His silver here adds to a career that already includes a landmark performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where he won silver in the same 10m air pistol SH1 discipline.
The Asian Para Games, held every four years, serve as the premier continental showcase for para athletes across the region and a critical stepping stone on the road to Paralympic qualification cycles. A podium finish at this level carries both prestige and momentum.
Puri's salute and India's growing para sports moment
Puri's post, directed at the Paralympic Committee of India (@PCI_IN_Official) and the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (@pspbmedia), framed Narwal's medal within a broader narrative — 'our champions continue to add to the medal tally.' The mention of PSPB is notable: the board, operating under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has long been a sponsor and employer of elite Indian athletes, giving para and able-bodied sportspersons a stable career structure to train at the highest level.
India's engagement with the Asian Para Games has deepened steadily over successive editions, with athletes competing across shooting, athletics, badminton, and other disciplines. Each individual podium adds to a collective tally that the government and sporting bodies watch closely as a signal of the country's para sports infrastructure.
The medal tally watch continues
With events still underway at the Asian Para Games 2026, India's final count remains in the making. Narwal's silver is one more proof point in an argument that Indian para sport is no longer a peripheral story — it is prime time.
Point of View
Each podium finish strengthens the political case for expanding PSPB-style sponsorship models to a wider range of para disciplines.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manish Narwal?
Manish Narwal is an Indian para shooter who competes in the 10m air pistol SH1 category. He won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics in the same discipline and claimed silver again at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a score of 233.7.
What is the SH1 category in para shooting?
SH1 is a para shooting classification for athletes who have an impairment in their shooting arm or hand, or in the lower limbs. Athletes typically shoot with a pistol using their non-dominant hand.
When are the Asian Para Games 2026?
The Asian Para Games 2026 is the current edition of the quadrennial continental multi-sport event for para athletes from across Asia. India's Manish Narwal competed in the Men's 10m Air Pistol SH1 Final on October 20, 2026.
What is the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB)?
The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) is a sports body under India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas that provides employment and financial support to elite Indian athletes, including para sports competitors.
What is India's medal tally at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India's full medal tally at the Asian Para Games 2026 is still being compiled as events continue. Manish Narwal's silver in the 10m Air Pistol SH1 is one of the medals India has secured so far.
