Asian Para Games: Bhavikkumar Bharwad DSQ strips silver in 400m T47 final
Synopsis
Bhavikkumar Bharwad crossed the line second in the Men's 400m T47 final in Nagoya, only to be stripped of his silver for a lane infringement — handing the medal to Japan's Kakeru Ishida. Meanwhile, Dilip Gavit turned the same race into a double-gold celebration, adding this win to his earlier 100m T47 gold to take India's tally to 20 gold medals at the ongoing Asian Para Games.
Key Takeaways
Bhavikkumar Bharwad was disqualified from the Men's 400m T47 final at the Asian Para Games on 22 October for a TR18.2 (c) lane infringement.
His silver medal was reassigned to Japan's Kakeru Ishida , who had originally finished third in 49.58 seconds .
Uzbekistan's Marufjon Murodulloev and Sri Lanka's Saman Subasinghe were jointly elevated to bronze, both clocking 50.03 seconds .
Dilip Mahadu Gavit won gold in 48.27 seconds — his second gold of the Games after also winning the Men's 100m T47 in 10.69 seconds .
Gavit's gold was India's 20th at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games .
Gavit previously won the 400m T47 gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games , which was also India's historic 100th medal at those Games.
Bhavikkumar Bharwad's silver medal in the Men's 400m T47 final at the Asian Para Games was stripped on Thursday, 22 October, after officials disqualified him for a lane infringement at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The ruling cost India what would have been a second podium finish in the same event.
What Happened in the Race
Bhavikkumar crossed the line second with a time of 49.31 seconds, behind fellow Indian Dilip Mahadu Gavit, who claimed gold in 48.27 seconds. However, race officials subsequently applied a TR18.2 (c) infringement — a second-lane infringement rule — and disqualified Bhavikkumar from the results.
The disqualification triggered a reshuffle of the entire podium. Japan's Kakeru Ishida, who had originally finished third in 49.58 seconds, was promoted to the silver medal position. Uzbekistan's Marufjon Murodulloev and Sri Lanka's Saman Subasinghe were jointly elevated to third place, both having clocked an identical time of 50.03 seconds — a season-best for each athlete.
Gavit's Golden Double
Despite the controversy surrounding his compatriot, Dilip Gavit had reason to celebrate. The 400m T47 gold was his second gold medal at the ongoing Games, having earlier won the Men's 100m T47 event with a time of 10.69 seconds. In that sprint final, Basil (T47 category) claimed silver in 10.72 seconds, setting a new Games record in the process.
Gavit's latest gold was India's 20th gold medal at the current Asian Para Games, underlining the contingent's strong overall campaign in Aichi-Nagoya.
Gavit's Remarkable Backstory
Born in the small village of Toran Dongari near Nashik, Maharashtra, Gavit grew up in a humble farming family. His life changed permanently when, between the ages of five and six, a fall from a tree severely injured his right arm. Rather than being defined by the injury, Gavit channelled it into an athletic career that has now reached the sport's highest stages.
He had previously won gold in the Men's 400m T47 at the 2022 Asian Para Games, a victory that also secured India's historic 100th medal at those Games. He further distinguished himself by reaching the final of the same event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
India's Para Games Campaign
India's performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games has been consistently strong across track and field. With 20 gold medals secured, the contingent has demonstrated depth well beyond individual standout performers. Bhavikkumar's disqualification is a setback in an otherwise encouraging campaign, and the Indian athletics team is expected to stay in contention for further medals in the remaining events.
Point of View
But their application in para-athletics carries an added layer of complexity — athletes with upper-limb classifications can face balance and directional challenges that neurotypical competitors do not. Whether that context was considered in the TR18.2 (c) call is a question Indian para athletics officials should be pressing with the Games' technical committee. Separately, the episode should not overshadow what Dilip Gavit has achieved: two golds in Nagoya, a gold in Hangzhou 2022, and a Paralympics final appearance in Paris. He is quietly building one of the more compelling para-athletics careers in Indian sport, yet receives a fraction of the mainstream attention his record warrants.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Bhavikkumar Bharwad disqualified at the Asian Para Games?
Bhavikkumar Bharwad was disqualified after the Men's 400m T47 final in Nagoya for a TR18.2 (c) infringement, which refers to a second-lane infringement under para-athletics rules. The ruling was applied after the race concluded, stripping him of the silver medal he had earned by finishing second in 49.31 seconds.
Who won the gold medal in the Men's 400m T47 at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India's Dilip Mahadu Gavit won gold in the Men's 400m T47 final at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya with a time of 48.27 seconds. It was his second gold at the ongoing Games, having also won the Men's 100m T47 event.
What is a TR18.2 (c) infringement in para-athletics?
A TR18.2 (c) infringement refers to a second-lane infringement under World Para Athletics technical rules — essentially straying outside one's assigned lane during a race. It is a disqualifiable offence and was the basis for Bhavikkumar Bharwad's removal from the 400m T47 results.
How many gold medals has India won at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India had won 20 gold medals at the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya as of Dilip Gavit's 400m T47 victory on 22 October. The contingent has put in consistently strong performances across track and field disciplines.
What is Dilip Gavit's athletic background?
Dilip Gavit is from Toran Dongari village near Nashik, Maharashtra, and sustained a severe right-arm injury in childhood after falling from a tree. He won gold in the Men's 400m T47 at the 2022 Asian Para Games — India's historic 100th medal at those Games — and also reached the final of the same event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
