Puri hails Simran's second Gold, Games Record at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri celebrated para-sprinter Simran's historic second gold at the Asian Para Games 2026, won with a New Games Record in the Women's 100m T12 — a landmark moment for India's para-sports campaign.
Key Takeaways
Simran won her second gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 , setting a New Games Record in the Women's 100m T12 event.
The T12 classification covers athletes with visual impairment, making the record-setting run especially remarkable.
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri publicly congratulated Simran on October 21, 2026 .
The Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) , under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, was tagged — indicating its role in supporting the athlete.
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee for para-athletes across Asia.
India's para-sports contingent continues to perform at the Games, with further medals possible in remaining events.
A second gold in the same Games — and a new record to go with it. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday, October 21 congratulated para-athlete Simran after she claimed her second gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2026, clocking a stunning New Games Record in the Women's 100m T12 event.
A double-gold sprint that rewrites the record books
The T12 classification is for athletes with visual impairment — competitors who run the track with limited sight and extraordinary nerve. Simran's second gold in a single edition of the Games, sealed with a New Games Record in the 100m, places her among the standout performers of Asian Para Games 2026 for India. Minister Puri called it a 'historic second Gold,' a phrase that underscores just how rare back-to-back gold performances are at this level.
PSPB's fingerprints on India's para-sports rise
The Minister's post tagged both the Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) and the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) — the sports body that operates directly under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The PSPB has long channelled resources from India's petroleum sector into athlete development across multiple disciplines, and its role in nurturing para-athletes has grown steadily alongside India's expanding presence on the Asian para-sports stage. Simran's record-breaking run is a direct return on that institutional investment.
India's para-sports moment at the Asian stage
The Asian Para Games, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee on a quadrennial cycle, represent the highest continental stage for para-athletes outside the Paralympic Games themselves. India's contingent has been building competitive depth across field and track events, and a double-gold sprint finish with a Games Record is precisely the kind of performance that lifts the entire programme's profile. Every record broken here is a data point for Paralympic selectors and a signal to young para-athletes across the country.
India's campaign in the Games continues — and on present form, more firsts may be coming.
Point of View
Moments like Simran's sprint are the currency that converts goodwill into long-term policy commitment.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Simran in the Asian Para Games 2026?
Simran is an Indian para-sprinter competing in the T12 category (visual impairment) who won two gold medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, including a New Games Record in the Women's 100m T12 event.
What is the T12 classification in para-athletics?
T12 is a para-athletics classification for athletes with visual impairment who have some residual vision. Competitors in this category run with or without a guide, depending on individual need.
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event for para-athletes across Asia, organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee. It is the continent's highest-level para-sport competition outside the Paralympic Games.
What is the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB)?
The PSPB is a sports promotion body operating under India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. It funds and supports athletes across several disciplines, including para-sports, using resources from the petroleum sector.
Why did Hardeep Singh Puri congratulate Simran?
As Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri oversees the PSPB, which supports Indian para-athletes. He congratulated Simran after she won her second gold with a New Games Record at the Asian Para Games 2026.
