Rajnath Singh hails India's podium sweep at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated Sachin Sarjerao Khilari (Gold), Mohammed Yasser (Silver), and Parveen (Bronze) on delivering a historic podium sweep for India in the Men's Shot Put F46 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, calling it a matter of immense national pride.
Key Takeaways
India swept all three medals — Gold, Silver, and Bronze — in the Men's Shot Put F46 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
Sachin Sarjerao Khilari won Gold, Mohammed Yasser won Silver, and Parveen won Bronze in the same final.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh publicly congratulated the trio on October 21, 2026 , calling the result a matter of immense national pride.
The F46 classification is for athletes with impairment affecting arm function, making the shot put a demanding test of power and technique.
India's para-athletics programme has grown steadily over the past decade, backed by expanded government support and dedicated training infrastructure.
A clean podium sweep in a single athletics event — India rarely gets to write a sentence like that. On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to X to congratulate three para-athletes who together turned the Men's Shot Put F46 arena at the Asian Para Games 2026 into an Indian flag ceremony: Sachin Sarjerao Khilari claiming Gold, Mohammed Yasser securing Silver, and Parveen clinching Bronze.
Gold, Silver, Bronze — all three flags for India
A podium sweep in a contested field event at continental level is among the rarest results in para-athletics. The F46 classification covers athletes with impairment affecting arm function — typically involving below-elbow amputation or comparable limb deficiency — making the shot put a gruelling test of explosive power, technique, and balance. To finish first, second, and third in the same final signals not a flash of individual brilliance but a systemic depth of talent.
Sachin Sarjerao Khilari is a name already well-known in Indian para-sports circles. Mohammed Yasser's Silver and Parveen's Bronze round out a trio whose performances, in the words of the Defence Minister, 'reflect the excellence and determination of India's para-athletes.'
A decade of building towards this moment
India's surge in para-sport at regional and global level has been years in the making. Dedicated training infrastructure, expanded government support for athletes with disabilities, and deeper scouting pipelines have steadily raised the country's medal ceiling at events like the Asian Para Games and the Paralympics. A sweep of this kind does not happen without that scaffolding.
The broader athletics programme at the 2026 Asian Para Games continues, and all eyes are on India's overall medal tally as results accumulate. Performances in throwing events have historically been a reliable gold mine for the country's para-athletics contingent.
Why Rajnath Singh's tribute carries weight
The Defence Minister's congratulatory post is more than a routine acknowledgment. Rajnath Singh — a senior BJP leader, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, and former Union Home Minister — represents one of the most prominent voices in the Union Cabinet. When a minister of his stature calls a para-sports result 'a matter of immense pride for the nation,' it amplifies visibility for athletes who often compete outside the mainstream sporting spotlight.
In a country where para-athletes still fight for airtime alongside their able-bodied counterparts, that visibility matters.
Three athletes stood on a podium together, draped in the same tricolour. The numbers will be debated; the image will endure.
Point of View
Not just individual excellence — and that distinction matters for policy. The Modi government has invested in disability-sports infrastructure as part of a broader push to diversify India's medal portfolio beyond its traditional strongholds. Rajnath Singh's high-profile congratulations serves a dual purpose: honouring the athletes and signalling institutional commitment to para-sport ahead of future Paralympic cycles. If the 2026 Asian Para Games deliver a strong overall medal count, expect the discourse around para-athletes' funding and visibility to get louder in the run-up to the next Games.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Gold, Silver, and Bronze in Men's Shot Put F46 at Asian Para Games 2026?
Sachin Sarjerao Khilari won Gold, Mohammed Yasser secured Silver, and Parveen clinched Bronze, giving India a clean podium sweep in the Men's Shot Put F46 event at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What is the F46 classification in para-athletics?
The F46 classification covers athletes with impairment affecting arm function, such as below-elbow amputation or comparable limb deficiency, who compete in field events including the shot put.
Why did Rajnath Singh congratulate India's para-athletes?
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the three athletes for delivering a historic podium sweep — all three medals — in the Men's Shot Put F46 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, describing it as a matter of immense pride for India.
When are the Asian Para Games 2026 taking place?
The Asian Para Games 2026 were ongoing as of October 21, 2026, when India's podium sweep in the Men's Shot Put F46 event was announced. The full schedule and host city details are part of the event's official programme.
Who is Sachin Sarjerao Khilari?
Sachin Sarjerao Khilari is an Indian para-athlete competing in the F46 shot put category, recognised as one of India's leading performers in para-athletics at the Asian level.
