Asian Para Games 2026: President Murmu hails Soorma's Asian record gold, medals haul
Synopsis
Pranav Soorma's Asian record discus throw of 11.66 metres at the Asian Para Games 2026 earned India gold — and a presidential shoutout. With Ram Ratan Singh's silver completing a one-two finish and four more bronze medals across swimming, track, and shooting, India's para contingent is signalling something more than participation: a genuine continental force.
Key Takeaways
Pranav Soorma won gold in the men's discus throw F51/52/53 at the Asian Para Games 2026 with an Asian record of 11.66 metres .
Ram Ratan Singh took silver in the same event with 10.35 metres , completing an Indian one-two finish.
Niranjan Mukundan won bronze in the men's 200m individual medley SM7 , clocking 2:57.01 .
Himanshu Nandal claimed bronze in the men's 400m freestyle S11 ; Ravanni Valasanaini won bronze in the women's 1500m T11 .
Shrishti Arora secured bronze in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 event.
President Droupadi Murmu personally congratulated all six athletes via posts on X .
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, congratulated Indian para-athletes Pranav Soorma, Ram Ratan Singh, Niranjan Mukundan, and several other medallists for their standout performances at the Asian Para Games 2026, celebrating India's multi-discipline podium finishes across athletics, swimming, and shooting.
Soorma's Asian Record Gold and India's One-Two Finish
Pranav Soorma clinched gold in the men's discus throw F51/52/53 event, hurling a best throw of 11.66 metres — a new Asian record. Compatriot Ram Ratan Singh added to the celebration by securing silver in the same event with a throw of 10.35 metres, completing a memorable one-two finish for India.
President Murmu wrote on X: 'My heartiest congratulations to Pranav Soorma on winning the Gold Medal in the Men's Discus Throw event at the Asian Para Games 2026 and setting a new Asian Games record. Your golden triumph has brought immense pride to Bharat and raised the bar for Indian para athletics.' Acknowledging Singh's silver, she added: 'Your performance in this test of technique and control has earned India a place on the podium.'
India's Swimming Medallists
Niranjan Mukundan claimed bronze in the men's 200m individual medley SM7, clocking 2:57.01. President Murmu praised his discipline-specific challenge, noting the importance of managing pace and rhythm across a multi-stroke event.
Himanshu Nandal added another bronze in the men's 400m freestyle S11 event. The President congratulated Nandal on X, expressing hope that 'every stroke takes you closer to new milestones.'
Track and Shooting Podiums
Ravanni Valasanaini won bronze in the women's 1500m T11 event, with President Murmu hailing her contribution to the growing strength of Indian para-athletics. In para shooting, Shrishti Arora secured bronze in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 discipline. The President highlighted the precision the event demands, calling Arora's podium finish 'a commendable accomplishment.'
India's Growing Para-Athletics Profile
The medals across five disciplines — athletics, swimming, and shooting — reflect India's broadening depth at the Asian Para Games. This comes amid sustained investment in para-sports infrastructure and a rising pipeline of classified athletes competing at continental level. Notably, the F51/52/53 discus gold with an Asian record underscores India's growing technical edge in field events for wheelchair athletes.
With the Games still ongoing, India's para contingent will look to add further medals across the remaining events, building on a campaign that has already drawn recognition from the highest constitutional office.
Point of View
But India's real story here is structural: a one-two finish in discus throw — with a continental record — signals that Indian para-athletics is moving from participation to podium dominance in select field events. The spread of medals across swimming, track, and shooting also suggests a diversifying talent pipeline, not just isolated standouts. The sustained attention from the highest office is welcome; the harder test is whether it translates into classification support, funding continuity, and infrastructure for the next crop. Para-sports success in India has historically been episodic — the 2026 campaign will be a useful data point on whether it is becoming systemic.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What record did Pranav Soorma set at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Pranav Soorma set a new Asian record of 11.66 metres in the men's discus throw F51/52/53 event, winning the gold medal. His teammate Ram Ratan Singh won silver in the same event with a throw of 10.35 metres, giving India a one-two finish.
Why did President Murmu post on X about the Asian Para Games?
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated six Indian para-athletes individually on X after their medal-winning performances at the Asian Para Games 2026. The posts recognised achievements across athletics, swimming, and shooting.
Which Indian athletes won medals at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India's medallists included Pranav Soorma (gold, discus throw), Ram Ratan Singh (silver, discus throw), Niranjan Mukundan (bronze, 200m individual medley SM7), Himanshu Nandal (bronze, 400m freestyle S11), Ravanni Valasanaini (bronze, women's 1500m T11), and Shrishti Arora (bronze, women's 10m air pistol SH1).
What was Niranjan Mukundan's time in the men's 200m individual medley at the Asian Para Games?
Niranjan Mukundan clocked 2:57.01 in the men's 200m individual medley SM7 event, earning India a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026.
What discipline does Shrishti Arora compete in?
Shrishti Arora competes in para shooting. She won a bronze medal in the women's 10m air pistol SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026, a discipline President Murmu described as demanding 'precision with every shot.'
