CM Saini Hails Pranav Soorma's Asian Para Games Gold
Synopsis
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini praised para-athletes Pranav Soorma and Ram Ratan Singh after they won gold and silver in discus throw F51/52/53 at the Asian Para Games 2026, with Soorma setting a new Asian record of 11.66 metres.
Key Takeaways
Pranav Soorma won gold in men's discus throw F51/52/53 at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a new Asian record of 11.66 metres .
Ram Ratan Singh claimed silver in the same event with a throw of 10.35 metres , completing an Indian one-two finish.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini publicly congratulated both athletes on 20 October 2026 , calling the achievement 'historic'.
The F51/52/53 classification covers seated para-athletes with limb and trunk impairments, making Soorma's record distance a significant technical milestone.
Haryana has a strong tradition of producing para and able-bodied athletes supported by state infrastructure and national schemes like Khelo India .
A new Asian record was etched in the discus circle at the Asian Para Games 2026 — and it belongs to Haryana. Para-athlete Pranav Soorma hurled the discus to 11.66 metres in the men's F51/52/53 category, shattering the continental mark and claiming gold, while compatriot Ram Ratan Singh backed him up with a 10.35-metre silver — an Indian podium sweep that Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini celebrated on Tuesday evening.
Posting on X on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, CM Saini extended his congratulations to both athletes, writing: 'Dil se hardik badhai' — 'heartfelt congratulations from the soul.' He called the feat 'a shining example of Indian sporting talent and outstanding performance' and said their success 'has raised the honour of the nation.' Soorma is widely recognised as a son of Haryana — 'Haryana ka lal' — a phrase the CM used pointedly to anchor the achievement in state pride.
Soorma's 11.66 m — what a record throw means for para-sports
The F51/52/53 classification groups athletes with varying degrees of limb and trunk impairment who compete from a seated position — making any discus throw a feat of upper-body explosion and technical precision. A new Asian record at 11.66 metres means Soorma has pushed the continental ceiling in his class, a benchmark that will now define competition for a generation of para-throwers across Asia. Ram Ratan Singh's silver at 10.35 metres ensured India did not just top the podium — it owned the top two spots.
Haryana's deep-rooted athletics pipeline
Haryana has long punched above its weight in Indian sport, regularly producing disproportionate numbers of Olympic and Asian Games medallists relative to its population. That pipeline extends to para-sports: the state government has consistently spotlighted its para-athletes' international wins as evidence of grassroots training infrastructure. The Khelo India programme, launched in 2016, has expanded support for para-athletes alongside able-bodied competitors, funnelling resources into district-level identification and elite coaching pathways.
India's para-sports recognition arc
Since the mid-2010s, both state governments and the Centre have moved to give para-sports achievements parity of recognition with mainstream sport — cash awards, state honours, and social-media amplification by senior political figures have all become routine signals of that shift. CM Saini's post, tagged #Cheer4Bharat and #AsianParaGames2026, is part of that pattern: a Chief Minister turning a para-athlete's record into a state narrative. What to watch next is whether Haryana — and the Centre — follow the congratulations with concrete announcements on para-sports funding or facility upgrades as the Games conclude.
Two athletes from one state. One Asian record. The discus has landed — and India is listening.
Point of View
The Asian record itself is the story, and the politics adds context rather than colour.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pranav Soorma?
Pranav Soorma is a para-athlete from Haryana who competes in discus throw. He won gold at the Asian Para Games 2026 in the F51/52/53 category with a new Asian record of 11.66 metres.
What is the F51/52/53 classification in para-athletics?
The F51/52/53 classification covers athletes with varying degrees of limb and trunk impairment who compete in field events from a seated position, including discus throw and javelin.
What did Ram Ratan Singh achieve at Asian Para Games 2026?
Ram Ratan Singh won the silver medal in men's discus throw F51/52/53 at the Asian Para Games 2026 with a throw of 10.35 metres, completing an Indian gold-silver sweep.
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a quadrennial multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities from across Asia, held after the main Asian Games. Previous editions were held in 2018 and 2022.
Why does Haryana produce so many medal-winning athletes?
Haryana has strong grassroots sports infrastructure, a cultural emphasis on physical competition, and has benefited from national programmes like Khelo India since 2016, which funds training for both able-bodied and para-athletes.
