PM Modi hails India's 114-medal haul at Asian Para Games 2026
Synopsis
India's jump from 14 medals in 2010 to 114 at the 2026 Asian Para Games — including 30 gold, five world records and nine Asian records — is not just a tally milestone. With 36 of 61 debutants winning medals and 34 of 56 women athletes on the podium, PM Modi's praise reflects a para-sports pipeline that is now producing results at scale.
Key Takeaways
India won a record 114 medals — 30 gold, 35 silver, 49 bronze — at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan , finishing fourth overall.
PM Narendra Modi met the contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex on 5 November 2026 and praised the athletes on X.
India set 5 world records and 9 Asian records and swept all three podium positions in 4 events .
Of 61 debutants , 36 returned with medals; 34 of 56 women athletes won medals.
The 2026 haul surpasses India's previous best of 108 medals (27 gold) at the 2023 Hangzhou edition.
Sprinter Simran Sharma and shot put gold medallist Sachin Sarjerao presented symbolic gifts to the prime minister during the interaction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 5 November 2026 praised India's para-athletes for their historic performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, calling the country's jump from 14 medals in 2010 to 114 medals in the current edition a testament to the 'immense potential and talent' of Indian athletes.
Modi made the remarks in a post on X following a personal interaction with the Indian Para Asian Games contingent at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi. 'On one hand, this is a number…a statistic of India's rise in the Asian Para Games. But, importantly, this meteoric rise suggests something else…the immense potential and talent of our athletes,' Modi wrote.
India's Record-Breaking Campaign
India registered its best-ever performance at the continental para-sports event, with 97 para-athletes collectively winning 114 medals — 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze. The contingent finished fourth in the overall medal standings. Athletes also set five world records and nine Asian records during the Games, with India sweeping all three podium positions in four events.
The 2026 tally surpasses India's previous best of 108 medals, including 27 gold, achieved at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games in China — underlining a steady upward trajectory in the country's para-sports programme.
Debutants and Women Athletes Shine
Modi specifically highlighted two statistics that underscored the depth of India's para-sports talent pipeline. Of the 61 athletes making their Asian Para Games debut, 36 returned home with medals. Among the 56 women athletes in the contingent, 34 emerged as medal winners. 'Of the 61 athletes making their Asian Para Games debut, 36 came back home with medals. There are 34 medal winners among 56 women athletes!' Modi wrote.
PM's Message on Determination and Societal Change
Addressing the broader message behind the athletes' performances, Modi said determination was the decisive factor in overcoming challenges. 'Our athletes have shown that no dream is too big and no challenge too great when there is determination,' he said.
The prime minister also pointed to what he described as a shift in societal attitudes towards sports as a career path. 'Those days are long over when society frowned upon youngsters who wanted to pursue sports. Now, if you have the talent, India will support you and cheer for you. Come, play and shine!' Modi wrote.
Interaction at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex
Earlier on Thursday, Modi met the Indian contingent in person, congratulating athletes, coaches, and support staff for the record-breaking campaign. Sprinter Simran Sharma presented the prime minister with a pair of shoes, while shot put gold medallist Sachin Sarjerao gifted him a shot put ball — symbolic gestures that marked the occasion.
With India's para-sports infrastructure expanding and the talent pipeline demonstrably deepening, the country's performance at future editions of the Asian Para Games and the Paralympics will be closely watched.
Point of View
But the more significant signal is in the depth numbers: over half the debutants medalled, and nearly two-thirds of women athletes returned with hardware. That points to a system producing results, not just individual brilliance. The gap between para-sports funding and mainstream sporting investment, however, remains wide — and PM Modi's warm words carry more weight if they are followed by structural budget increases for para-athletics infrastructure and classified competition exposure, areas where India still lags Paralympic frontrunners.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did India win at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India won 114 medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — comprising 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze — finishing fourth in the overall standings. This is India's best-ever performance at the continental para-sports event.
What did PM Modi say about India's Asian Para Games 2026 performance?
PM Modi praised the athletes in a post on X following a personal meeting with the contingent, saying the rise from 14 medals in 2010 to 114 in 2026 reflected the 'immense potential and talent' of Indian athletes. He also said 'no dream is too big and no challenge too great when there is determination.'
How does India's 2026 medal tally compare to previous editions?
India's 114-medal haul at the 2026 Asian Para Games surpasses its previous best of 108 medals, including 27 gold, won at the 2023 Hangzhou edition in China. The 2010 campaign, by comparison, yielded just 14 medals.
Which Indian athletes stood out at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Among the notable athletes, sprinter Simran Sharma and shot put gold medallist Sachin Sarjerao were prominent enough to present symbolic gifts to PM Modi during the official interaction. India also set five world records and nine Asian records across the Games.
Where were the Asian Para Games 2026 held?
The 2026 Asian Para Games were held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. India's 97-strong para-athlete contingent competed across multiple disciplines, returning with a record 114 medals.
