Nadda hails Baby Sahana Ravi's historic Para TT bronze
Synopsis
Baby Sahana Ravi (WR-9) wins bronze in Para Table Tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026, securing India's first-ever medal in the standing category. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda congratulated her on X, calling her achievement a triumph of the human spirit.
Key Takeaways
Baby Sahana Ravi (WR-9) won the bronze medal in Para Table Tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026 .
The win is India's first-ever medal in the standing category at the Asian Para Games in Para Table Tennis.
Union Health Minister J.
Nadda congratulated her on X on October 20, 2026 .
The Asian Para Games are a quadrennial multi-sport event organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee .
Nadda described Sahana Ravi as 'a true inspiration to aspiring athletes and the entire nation.'
A bronze medal and a place in the history books — Baby Sahana Ravi (WR-9) did both at the Asian Para Games 2026, becoming the first Indian para-athlete ever to win a medal in the standing category at the continental Games in Para Table Tennis. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda took to X on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 to celebrate the landmark achievement.
In his post, Nadda wrote: 'Congratulations to Baby Sahana Ravi for winning the Bronze Medal in Para Table Tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026 and creating history by securing India's FIRST-EVER medal in the standing category at the Asian Para Games! Your remarkable achievement proves that no physical limitation can subdue the indomitable spirit to excel.'
A first that changes the record books
India has competed across multiple editions of the Asian Para Games, but the standing category in Para Table Tennis had remained a blank column in the medal tally — until now. Sahana Ravi's WR-9 classification covers athletes with moderate impairment who compete on their feet rather than in a wheelchair, a category that demands both precision and intense physical resilience. Her bronze does not just add a medal; it opens a lane that Indian para-sport had never entered before at this level.Why this moment matters beyond the podium
The Asian Para Games are organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee and held every four years, running parallel to the Asian Games cycle. For India's para-sports ecosystem, continental medals are a critical confidence and funding milestone — they signal to selectors, coaches, and sponsors that a discipline is viable and worth sustained investment. A 'first-ever' at this stage of the calendar carries weight well beyond the ceremony of a single bronze. Nadda described Sahana Ravi as 'a true inspiration to aspiring athletes and the entire nation' — language that in India's para-sports discourse often precedes structured recognition, whether in the form of state honours or inclusion in national coaching programmes. For every young para-athlete in a district sports hostel who has been told to 'be realistic', Baby Sahana Ravi has just redrawn the ceiling.Point of View
Driven by policy attention and improved classification pathways for athletes with physical impairments. A 'first-ever' standing-category medal at the Asian Para Games is precisely the kind of milestone that feeds into that narrative — it signals depth in the pipeline, not just a one-off breakthrough. For BJP ministers like Nadda, publicly amplifying such achievements is also consistent with the government's broader soft-power and social-inclusion messaging around para-sport. The real test will be whether this recognition translates into sustained institutional backing for WR-class table tennis athletes at the national level.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Baby Sahana Ravi in Para Table Tennis?
Baby Sahana Ravi is an Indian para table tennis player competing in the WR-9 classification, which covers athletes with moderate physical impairment who play in the standing category. She made history at the Asian Para Games 2026 by winning India's first-ever medal in the standing category.
What is WR-9 classification in Para Table Tennis?
WR-9 is a para table tennis classification for athletes who compete while standing and have a moderate degree of physical impairment. Athletes in this class play without a wheelchair, requiring both precision and physical mobility.
What did India win at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Para Table Tennis?
India won a bronze medal through Baby Sahana Ravi in Para Table Tennis at the Asian Para Games 2026, marking the country's first-ever medal in the standing category at the Asian Para Games.
What are the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games are a quadrennial multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee. They are held alongside the Asian Games cycle and bring together para-athletes from across the continent.
Why did J. P. Nadda congratulate Baby Sahana Ravi?
Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda congratulated Baby Sahana Ravi on X because she won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Para Table Tennis and became the first Indian athlete ever to secure a medal in the standing category at the Asian Para Games.
