Asian Para Games 2026: President Murmu congratulates India's medallists Rinku, Soumya, Nishad Kumar
Synopsis
India's para-athletes delivered a multi-discipline medal sweep at the Asian Para Games 2026, with gold medallists Soumya, Rinku, and Nishad Kumar headlining the haul. President Droupadi Murmu personally congratulated each medallist on X, in a rare public acknowledgement that signals growing institutional recognition of India's para-sports talent.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated 8 Indian para-athletes on their medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 via posts on X .
Soumya won gold in the Women's 1500m T12/13 with a personal best; Radha Venkatesh took silver in the same event.
Rinku won gold and Ajeet Singh took silver in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 , giving India a double podium.
Nishad Kumar claimed gold in the Men's Long Jump T47 event.
Budigina won silver in the Men's 100m Freestyle S13 swimming event.
Kokila won silver in Women's Judo J2 -52kg and Kapil Parmar won bronze in para judo .
President Droupadi Murmu on 19 October 2026 congratulated a string of Indian para-athletes who won medals at the Asian Para Games 2026, posting individual tributes on X for gold, silver, and bronze medallists across swimming, athletics, javelin throw, long jump, and judo. The President's messages praised each athlete's performance as a source of national pride and a potential inspiration for future para-sportspersons across India.
Swimming and Athletics Medals
Ravi K. Budigina claimed a silver medal in the Men's 100m Freestyle S13 event. President Murmu wrote: 'I extend my warmest congratulations to Ravi K. Budigina on winning the Silver Medal in the Men's 100m Freestyle S13 at the Asian Para Games 2026. Representing Bharat on this international stage, you have given the nation a moment to cherish. May your achievement inspire aspiring swimmers to take the plunge, pursue their ambitions with conviction.'
In the Women's 1500m T12/13 event, Soumya clinched the gold medal while also setting a personal best, a feat President Murmu described as 'a particularly special accomplishment.' Radha Venkatesh won the silver medal in the same event, with the President expressing hope that the achievement would fuel her continued pursuit of excellence on the track.
Javelin Throw: Double Podium for India
India secured both the top two positions in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 event. Rinku took the gold medal, with President Murmu writing: 'Your throw has carried the Indian Tricolour to the top of the podium and brought immense pride to Bharat. May your achievement inspire aspiring javelin throwers to aim farther.' Ajeet Singh won the silver medal in the same event, with the President wishing him fresh momentum in his sporting journey.
Long Jump Gold for Nishad Kumar
Nishad Kumar won the gold medal in the Men's Long Jump T47 event, with President Murmu highlighting his versatility as a para-sportsperson. 'Your remarkable success in Men's Long Jump highlights your versatility as a sportsperson and your willingness to take on new challenges,' she wrote, adding that his achievement could inspire others to explore their potential beyond familiar boundaries.
Para-Judo Medals
On the judo mat, Kokila won the silver medal in the Women's Judo J2 -52kg category. President Murmu said her achievement could encourage more young people to explore judo and pursue sporting ambitions. Kapil Parmar added a bronze medal in para judo, with the President wishing him continued striving for excellence in his sporting journey.
India's Growing Para-Sports Momentum
India's medal haul at the Asian Para Games 2026 reflects the country's expanding para-sports infrastructure and a growing pipeline of elite para-athletes. The diversity of disciplines — from swimming and track athletics to field events and combat sports — signals a broader base than in previous editions of the Games. The President's individual acknowledgements of each athlete on a public platform underline an institutional push to mainstream para-sports recognition in India's national sporting narrative.
Point of View
Named congratulations to eight para-athletes — rather than a single collective post — is a deliberate signal, not a formality. India's para-sports ecosystem has historically been underfunded and under-celebrated compared to able-bodied sport, and high-visibility presidential acknowledgement can shift that narrative at the institutional level. The diversity of medals across swimming, athletics, javelin, long jump, and judo also suggests India's para-sports pipeline is widening beyond its traditional strongholds. The question now is whether this recognition translates into sustained funding, coaching infrastructure, and media coverage, or remains a podium moment that fades between Games cycles.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian athletes won gold at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Three Indian athletes won gold at the Asian Para Games 2026: Soumya in the Women's 1500m T12/13 (with a personal best), Rinku in the Men's Javelin Throw F46, and Nishad Kumar in the Men's Long Jump T47.
Who is Ravi K. Budigina and what did he win?
Ravi K. Budigina is an Indian para-swimmer who won the silver medal in the Men's 100m Freestyle S13 event at the Asian Para Games 2026. President Droupadi Murmu congratulated him, saying his achievement brought pride to the country.
Why did President Murmu post individual congratulations for each para-athlete?
President Droupadi Murmu posted separate tributes on X for each of the eight medallists, personalising her congratulations to highlight each athlete's specific event and achievement. The gesture is seen as an effort to publicly mainstream para-sports recognition at the highest level of government.
Which events did India win medals in at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India won medals across five disciplines: swimming (Men's 100m Freestyle S13 — silver), athletics (Women's 1500m T12/13 — gold and silver), javelin throw (Men's F46 — gold and silver), long jump (Men's T47 — gold), and para judo (Women's J2 -52kg — silver; Para Judo — bronze).
What is the Asian Para Games?
The Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event held for athletes with physical disabilities across Asia, organised under the Asian Paralympic Committee. The 2026 edition features Indian para-athletes competing across a range of disciplines, with the country securing multiple medals.
