PM Modi meets India's Para Asian Games 2026 heroes, 114-medal haul celebrated
Synopsis
India's para-athletes returned from Aichi-Nagoya with a record 114 medals — their best-ever at the Asian Para Games — and PM Modi received them in person at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex. With gold medallists handing over shoes and shot put balls as mementoes, the moment underscored how far Indian para-sport has travelled: from a 108-medal haul in 2023 to a 114-medal landmark, and two new Paralympics quotas in shooting already banked for 2028.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi met India's Para Asian Games 2026 contingent at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, New Delhi on 5 November 2026 .
India finished with a record 114 medals — 30 gold, 35 silver, 49 bronze — at the Aichi-Nagoya Games , surpassing its previous best of 108 medals .
Sprinter Simran Sharma (double gold, T12) and shot putter Sachin Sarjerao (gold, F45/46) presented mementoes to the Prime Minister.
Javelin thrower Sumit Antil defended his gold and was part of a podium sweep; shooter Mona Agarwal set a record en route to gold in the women's 50m rifle three positions SH1 .
India secured two 2028 Paralympics quotas in shooting at these Games.
At 50 years old , Jehan Dorab Madan became India's oldest Asian Para Games medallist, winning bronze in para-table tennis.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 5 November 2026, met members of India's Para Asian Games 2026 contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi, honouring athletes who delivered the country's best-ever performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Games in Japan with a record 114 medals, including 30 gold.
Mementoes and the moment
Sprinter Simran Sharma, who claimed gold medals in both the women's 100m and 200m T12 events, presented the Prime Minister with a pair of shoes — a symbolic gesture from one of India's standout para-athletes at the Games. Shot putter Sachin Sarjerao, who won gold in the F45/46 category, handed over a shot put ball as his memento, encapsulating the spirit of a historic campaign.
The interaction brought together athletes, coaches, support staff, and officials from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), national sports federations, and the Sports Ministry.
India's record-breaking medal haul
India's contingent of 97 para-athletes finished the Aichi-Nagoya Games with 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze medals, surpassing the previous national best of 108 medals — including 27 gold — set at the 2023 Hangzhou edition. This marks the second consecutive time India has crossed the 100-medal mark at the Asian Para Games.
Para-athletics led the charge, contributing 65 medals in total — 22 gold, 19 silver, and 24 bronze. Para-badminton followed with 16 medals, and para-swimming added 11. India also secured medals in para-archery (six, including three gold), shooting (five, including two gold), para-table tennis (seven bronze), powerlifting (two silver), and judo (one silver, one bronze).
Standout performers
Javelin thrower Sumit Antil defended his gold medal in the men's F42-F44/F61-F64 category and was part of a podium sweep, underlining India's dominance in the discipline. In shooting, Mona Agarwal won gold in the women's 50m rifle three positions SH1 event with record scores, and India secured two qualification quotas for the 2028 Summer Paralympics in the process.
The campaign also highlighted achievement across age groups: Jehan Dorab Madan, aged 50, became India's oldest medallist at the Games after winning bronze in para-table tennis.
What this signals for Indian para-sport
The record tally reflects a structural deepening of India's para-sports ecosystem, with medal contributions spread across disciplines rather than concentrated in a handful of events. This comes amid a broader push by the Sports Ministry to expand grassroots para-sports infrastructure. With two shooting quotas already secured for Los Angeles 2028, India's Paralympic pipeline appears increasingly robust. The government's sustained engagement — including today's high-profile interaction — signals that para-athletes are being recognised alongside their able-bodied counterparts in national sporting narratives.
Point of View
Which is a healthier sign than a jump driven by one or two dominant events. The steady increase from 108 in 2023 to 114 in 2026 suggests the Sports Ministry's para-sports investment is compounding rather than plateauing. The bigger test will come at Los Angeles 2028, where Paralympic competition is markedly sharper; two shooting quotas already secured is a meaningful early return. High-profile interactions like today's send a signal, but sustained institutional support — not photo opportunities — will determine whether the momentum holds.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did India win at the Para Asian Games 2026?
India won a record 114 medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — comprising 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze . This surpassed India's previous best of 108 medals at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
Why did PM Modi meet the Para Asian Games contingent?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex on 5 November 2026 to honour athletes who delivered India's best-ever performance at the Asian Para Games. Athletes presented him with mementoes, including shoes from sprinter Simran Sharma and a shot put ball from Sachin Sarjerao.
Who were India's standout performers at the 2026 Para Asian Games?
Among the top performers were sprinter Simran Sharma (double gold in T12 100m and 200m), javelin thrower Sumit Antil (defended gold, part of podium sweep), and shooter Mona Agarwal (gold with record scores in women's 50m rifle three positions SH1). Shot putter Sachin Sarjerao also won gold in the F45/46 category.
Which sport contributed the most medals for India at the 2026 Para Asian Games?
Para-athletics was India's biggest medal contributor, accounting for 65 medals — including 22 gold, 19 silver, and 24 bronze . Para-badminton (16 medals) and para-swimming (11 medals) followed.
Did India qualify for the 2028 Paralympics at the Para Asian Games 2026?
Yes. India secured two qualification quotas for the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles through the shooting events at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, adding a pathway dimension to the record-breaking medal campaign.
