Asian Para Games: Dilip Gavit wins second gold in Men's 400m T47 with 48.27s
Synopsis
Dilip Mahadu Gavit delivered a masterclass in Nagoya, winning his second gold at the 2026 Asian Para Games in the Men's 400m T47 with a time of 48.27 seconds — making it India's 20th gold at these Games. With Bhavikkumar Bharwad taking silver, India swept the top two spots, underlining the remarkable depth of a para-athletics programme built, in Gavit's case, on a childhood amputation and dusty village roads.
Key Takeaways
Dilip Mahadu Gavit won gold in the Men's 400m T47 at the 2026 Asian Para Games , clocking 48.27 seconds on 22 October in Nagoya .
Fellow Indian Bhavikkumar Bharwad claimed silver with a time of 49.31 seconds , completing an Indian double podium.
This was Gavit's second gold of the Games — he also won the Men's 100m T47 in 10.69 seconds .
The result brought India's gold medal tally to 20 at the ongoing Asian Para Games.
Gavit previously won the same 400m T47 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games and reached the final at the Paris 2024 Paralympics .
Originally from Toran Dongari near Nashik, Maharashtra , Gavit lost his right arm below the elbow due to gangrene following a childhood fall.
Dilip Mahadu Gavit claimed his second gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games on 22 October, storming to victory in the Men's 400m T47 final at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, clocking 48.27 seconds. Fellow Indian Bhavikkumar Bharwad finished a close second with a time of 49.31 seconds, securing silver and completing a stunning double-podium finish for India.
The Race and Results
Japan's Kakeru Ishida took the bronze medal, finishing in 49.58 seconds, just behind Bharwad. The margin between gold and silver was just over a second, underlining the high quality of the competition. For Gavit, the victory was a reaffirmation of his dominance in the T47 sprint events — he had earlier in the same Games won gold in the Men's 100m T47, clocking an impressive 10.69 seconds. In that race, another Indian, Basil (T47 category), had taken silver with a time of 10.72 seconds, reportedly setting a new Games record.
India's 20th Gold at These Games
Gavit's latest triumph marked India's 20th gold medal at the ongoing Asian Para Games, as the Indian contingent continues to deliver strong performances in Aichi-Nagoya. The double podium in the 400m final — both spots taken by Indian athletes — reflects the growing depth of India's para-athletics programme. This is the second consecutive Asian Para Games edition in which Gavit has won this event: he had earlier clinched gold in the Men's 400m T47 at the 2022 Asian Para Games, a win that also secured India's historic 100th medal at those Games.
Gavit's Road to the Top
Gavit was born in Toran Dongari, a small village near Nashik, Maharashtra, into a humble farming family. At the age of five or six, a fall from a tree severely injured his right arm. Due to inadequate medical care, the injury developed into gangrene, necessitating the amputation of his arm below the elbow. Rather than allowing the setback to define him, Gavit channelled his energy into athletics, training on the dusty roads of his village before his talent was spotted by coach Vaijnath Kale, who guided him into professional para-athletics.
Paris 2024 and the Bigger Picture
Gavit's trajectory has been remarkable: he reached the final of the Men's 400m T47 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, announcing himself as a genuine global contender. His back-to-back gold medals at the Asian Para Games, combined with his Paralympic final appearance, make him one of the most decorated active Indian para-sprinters. His success in Nagoya adds further momentum to India's para-athletics ambitions ahead of future international competitions.
Point of View
With Bhavikkumar Bharwad only a second behind the winner, suggests the talent pipeline is widening beyond a handful of marquee names. Yet the broader policy question remains: are para-athletes like Gavit succeeding despite the system or because of it? His story — a childhood amputation, a village road as a training track, and a coach who spotted him — reads more like individual resilience than institutional design. As India chases global para-athletics standing, converting stories like Gavit's into a replicable, funded pathway will be the real measure of progress.
NationPress
22 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gold medals has Dilip Gavit won at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Dilip Mahadu Gavit has won two gold medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya — one in the Men's 100m T47 (10.69 seconds) and one in the Men's 400m T47 (48.27 seconds). Both victories came on 22 October at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
Who won silver in the Men's 400m T47 at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India's Bhavikkumar Bharwad won the silver medal in the Men's 400m T47 final, finishing in 49.31 seconds — just over a second behind his compatriot Dilip Gavit. Japan's Kakeru Ishida took bronze with a time of 49.58 seconds.
What is India's gold medal tally at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
India's gold medal tally reached 20 at the 2026 Asian Para Games as of 22 October, with Gavit's 400m T47 win marking that milestone. The Indian contingent has been delivering consistent double-podium performances in para-athletics events.
What is Dilip Gavit's background and how did he become a para-athlete?
Gavit was born in Toran Dongari village near Nashik, Maharashtra. A fall from a tree at age five or six caused a severe arm injury that led to amputation below the elbow due to gangrene. He trained on village roads before coach Vaijnath Kale recognised his talent and guided him into professional para-athletics.
Has Dilip Gavit competed at the Paralympics?
Yes, Dilip Gavit reached the final of the Men's 400m T47 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, establishing himself as a global contender. He had previously won gold in the same event at the 2022 Asian Para Games, a win that also marked India's historic 100th medal at those Games.
