Asian Para Games: India sweep discus throw podium, Devender wins gold in Nagoya
Synopsis
India didn't just win — they swept. Devender Kumar, Rakesh, and Pardeep Kumar claimed gold, silver, and bronze respectively in the men's discus throw at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, with Pardeep actually throwing the furthest at 51.15 metres yet finishing third under the Raza points system. It is a clean podium that highlights India's rapidly growing depth in para-athletics.
Key Takeaways
Devender Kumar won gold in the men's discus throw F43/F44/F62/F64 final at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on 20 October .
India swept all three medals: Rakesh took silver ( 771 Raza points ) and Pardeep Kumar claimed bronze ( 669 Raza points ).
Devender's winning throw was 49.71 metres , earning him 781 Raza points .
Pardeep recorded the greatest absolute distance — a personal best of 51.15 metres — but finished third under the combined-classification Raza scoring system.
The event combined athletes from F43, F44, F62 , and F64 disability categories in a single final.
Devender Kumar clinched gold in the men's discus throw F43/F44/F62/F64 final at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on 20 October, as India completed a clean sweep of all three medals in the event. Rakesh took silver and Pardeep Kumar secured bronze, marking one of India's most dominant single-event performances at the Games.
How the Gold Was Won
Devender topped the standings with 781 Raza points, a score built on his best throw of 49.71 metres in his second attempt. He had opened with 48.85 metres, fouled on his third and fourth attempts, managed 45.20 metres in his fifth, and fouled again on his final throw. That second-round effort proved decisive in earning him the top step of the podium.
Silver and Bronze Breakdown
Rakesh finished second with 771 Raza points, his best effort of 49.35 metres coming in the fourth round after opening throws of 47.87 metres and 46.08 metres. He could not improve on that mark in his final two attempts but held on comfortably for silver.
Pardeep, competing in the F64 category, actually recorded the greatest absolute distance of the three — a personal best of 51.15 metres in his second attempt — yet finished third under the combined-classification scoring system. He followed that effort with 50.83 metres in the third round and closed with throws of 46.16 metres, 48.80 metres, and 47.84 metres.
Understanding the Raza Points System
The competition brought together athletes from four different disability classifications — F43, F44, F62, and F64 — competing in a single combined final. The Raza point system converts raw distances into a unified score that accounts for the type and degree of disability, enabling athletes across categories to be ranked on a comparable basis. Under this system, a shorter absolute throw can outscore a longer one if the thrower's classification carries a higher conversion factor — which is why Pardeep's 51.15 metres did not overturn Devender's 49.71 metres in the final standings.
What This Means for India
A podium sweep in a combined throwing event at the Asian Para Games underlines the depth India has quietly built in field athletics at the para level. Notably, all three medallists produced throws above 49 metres or a personal best, suggesting the squad is peaking at the right moment. This clean sweep adds a significant haul of medals to India's Games tally and signals growing competitiveness in the region's para-athletics landscape.
Point of View
A nuance mainstream coverage often glosses over. Telling that story properly is as much a part of reporting this as counting the medals.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the gold medal in men's discus throw at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Devender Kumar won the gold medal in the men's discus throw F43/F44/F62/F64 final at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on 20 October. He topped the standings with 781 Raza points, courtesy of a best throw of 49.71 metres in his second attempt.
Did India win all three medals in discus throw at the Asian Para Games?
Yes, India swept the entire podium. Devender Kumar won gold, Rakesh claimed silver with 771 Raza points, and Pardeep Kumar took bronze with 669 Raza points — a clean sweep across all three medal positions.
What is the Raza points system used at the Asian Para Games?
The Raza point system converts raw athletic performances — such as a distance thrown — into a unified points score that accounts for the thrower's disability classification. This allows athletes from different categories, such as F43, F44, F62, and F64, to compete in a single combined final on a comparable basis, with the highest points total determining final placement regardless of absolute distance.
Why did Pardeep Kumar finish third despite throwing the farthest?
Pardeep, competing in the F64 category, recorded a personal best of 51.15 metres, the greatest absolute distance in the final. However, under the Raza points system, his distance converted to 669 points — lower than Devender's 781 and Rakesh's 771 — placing him third. The system reflects the relative difficulty of a performance within each disability classification.
What were the key throws in the Asian Para Games discus throw final?
Devender Kumar's decisive throw was 49.71 metres in his second attempt. Rakesh's best was 49.35 metres in his fourth attempt. Pardeep Kumar recorded a personal best of 51.15 metres in his second attempt, followed by 50.83 metres in the third round.
