PCI mourns Neeraj Yadav, three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist
Synopsis
Three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist Neeraj Yadav, who overcame polio at seven to become one of India's most decorated wheelchair athletes, died on 28 October in New Delhi. The PCI called his passing 'an immense loss to the entire para-sports fraternity.' An investigation into the circumstances of his death is underway under the BNSS.
Key Takeaways
Neeraj Yadav , 42 , a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist, died on the night of 28 October 2026 in Maujpur, New Delhi .
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) mourned his passing, calling him 'a true champion, an inspiration, and a symbol of determination.' Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS ; the investigation is ongoing.
Yadav was diagnosed with polio at age seven and transitioned from wheelchair tennis to athletics in 2015 .
He won gold at the 2018 and 2022 Asian Para Games and set an Asian record of 29.84 metres in javelin throw F55.
He also held an Indian national record from the 2022 Marrakech Para Athletics Grand Prix .
The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, expressed deep grief over the passing of Neeraj Yadav, a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist, remembering him as a symbol of determination who brought immense pride to Indian para sports. Yadav, 42, was found unresponsive inside his car in Maujpur, northeast New Delhi, late on Tuesday night and was subsequently declared dead at GTB Hospital.
PCI Pays Tribute
In a condolence message shared on its social media handles, the PCI remembered Yadav in the highest terms. 'A true champion, an inspiration, and a symbol of determination, Neeraj Yadav brought immense pride and glory to the nation through his remarkable achievements in para sports,' the committee said. 'His contribution to Indian para sports and his legacy as a champion will forever be remembered. His passing is an immense loss to the entire para-sports fraternity,' it added.
The PCI also extended its heartfelt condolences to Yadav's family, friends, fellow athletes, and loved ones. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, fellow athletes, and loved ones during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace,' the committee said.
Circumstances of Death
According to police, Jafrabad Police Station received information from GTB Hospital about a person brought to the emergency department and declared dead. Yadav allegedly died by suicide, police said. An investigation has been initiated under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and a further inquiry into the circumstances of his death is underway. NationPress attributes the cause of death to police statements; the matter remains under active investigation.
A Career Built on Resilience
Hailing from Uttar Pradesh, Yadav was diagnosed with polio at the age of seven and used a wheelchair throughout his life. He initially played wheelchair tennis for approximately seven years before transitioning to athletics in 2015. At his very first competitive outing — the 2015 Delhi State Athletics Meet — he won gold medals in shot put, javelin throw, and discus throw, signalling the arrival of a rare talent.
The following year, he claimed silver medals in the men's shot put and discus F55 events at the prestigious Fazza Grand Prix.
Asian Para Games Glory
Yadav announced himself to the continent at the 2018 Asian Para Games, where he won gold in the men's javelin throw F55 event with an Asian record of 29.84 metres. At the 2022 Asian Para Games — held in Hangzhou in October 2023 — he secured two gold medals, winning the discus throw in the F54/55/56 class and the javelin throw in the men's F55 category. He also won gold at the Marrakech Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco in 2022, setting a new Indian national record in the process.
A Void in Indian Para Sports
Yadav's passing leaves a significant gap in Indian wheelchair athletics, a discipline he had helped elevate over a decade of competition. He was among a small group of Indian para-athletes who had consistently performed at the Asian level across multiple Games cycles. The investigation into his death continues, and the broader para-sports community has rallied to mourn one of its most decorated figures.
Point of View
For all its recent medal momentum, offers limited structural support to athletes once their competitive peak passes. A man who set Asian records and won gold across three Para Games cycles died, according to police, under circumstances that are still being investigated — and that raises urgent questions about athlete welfare, mental health infrastructure, and the institutional duty of care that sporting bodies owe their champions beyond the podium. The PCI's tribute was dignified, but tributes alone cannot substitute for systemic support. India has celebrated para-athletes when they win; the harder question is whether it sustains them when the medals stop coming.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Neeraj Yadav, the para-athlete?
Neeraj Yadav was a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist from Uttar Pradesh who competed in wheelchair athletics, specialising in javelin throw, discus throw, and shot put in the F55 category. Diagnosed with polio at seven, he transitioned to athletics in 2015 and went on to set an Asian record of 29.84 metres in the javelin throw F55 event at the 2018 Asian Para Games.
How did Neeraj Yadav die?
According to police, Neeraj Yadav, 42, allegedly died by suicide inside his car in the Maujpur area of northeast New Delhi late on Tuesday night. He was taken to GTB Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. An investigation has been initiated under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the inquiry is ongoing.
What did the PCI say about Neeraj Yadav's death?
The Paralympic Committee of India described Yadav as 'a true champion, an inspiration, and a symbol of determination' and said his passing was 'an immense loss to the entire para-sports fraternity.' The committee extended its condolences to his family, friends, and fellow athletes.
What were Neeraj Yadav's biggest achievements?
Yadav won gold at the 2018 Asian Para Games in javelin throw F55, setting an Asian record of 29.84 metres. He also claimed two gold medals at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou — in discus throw (F54/55/56) and javelin throw (F55). In 2022, he set an Indian national record at the Marrakech Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco.
What happens next in the Neeraj Yadav death investigation?
Jafrabad Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and a further inquiry into the circumstances of his death is underway. No additional details about the timeline for the investigation have been officially disclosed as yet.
