Navdeep Singh credits SAI, JLN Stadium for Asian Para Games 2026 bronze
Synopsis
Navdeep Singh's bronze in the men's javelin at the Asian Para Games 2026 came with a telling footnote — it was built on the track at JLN Stadium in New Delhi. As one of 14 JLN-trained medallists, his story spotlights how centralised SAI infrastructure is quietly underpinning India's best-ever para-sport haul of 114 medals.
Key Takeaways
Navdeep Singh won bronze in the men's javelin throw F40/F41 at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, improving on his fourth-place finish in 2022.
He credited training at SAI's JLN Stadium in New Delhi for helping him acclimatise to the competitive environment.
India achieved its best-ever performance at the continental para-sport event, finishing fourth overall with 114 medals (30 gold, 35 silver, 49 bronze).
Para-athletics contributed 65 of India's 114 medals , including 22 gold.
Navdeep was one of 14 medallists from the JLN Stadium training group, which produced standout performances across track and field.
More than 50 para-athletes currently use the SAI JLN Stadium as a training base.
Para-javelin thrower Navdeep Singh has credited the training infrastructure at the Sports Authority of India (SAI)'s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi for playing a pivotal role in his preparation for the Asian Para Games 2026, where he claimed bronze in the men's javelin throw F40/F41 event in Aichi-Nagoya. The Paris Paralympics gold medallist had finished fourth at the previous edition in 2022, making this podium finish a significant step forward.
What Navdeep Said About JLN Stadium
'Most of us Asian Games-bound athletes, including me, did our preparations at the JLN Stadium for the Asian Games 2026,' Navdeep said after his medal-winning performance. 'This allowed us to acclimatise and get the feel. Despite the ongoing (Indian Super League) football matches, they kept the Asian Games a priority, which I felt was quite impressive, and that supported me,' he added.
Navdeep also highlighted the value of having uninterrupted access to the main track. 'Sprinters need an empty track, so they got a good chance to train inside it. I majorly train at the SAI Regional Centres (Bengaluru, Sonipat and Gandhinagar), where there is not much crowd and I don't have to wait for other athletes to finish their throws. This all happened here at the JLN Stadium too. I could focus on my preparations rather than focusing on rotations and waiting for my turn,' he said, adding that he hoped to return to the facility next season.
India's Historic Medal Haul at Aichi-Nagoya
India delivered its best-ever performance at the continental para-sport event, finishing fourth in the overall standings with 114 medals — comprising 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze. Para-athletics was the standout discipline, contributing 65 medals, including 22 gold, 19 silver, and 24 bronze.
JLN-Trained Athletes Who Shone at the Games
Navdeep was one of 14 medallists from the SAI JLN Stadium training group. Praveen Kumar won gold in the men's high jump T64, while Sandeep Kumar clinched the men's 400m T64 title with a world-record performance. Pranav Soorma triumphed in the men's club throw F51, and Rinku Hooda topped the men's javelin throw F46. Simran Sharma swept both the women's 100m and 200m T12, setting Games records in each.
Among the silver medallists from the same training group were Manjeet (men's javelin F12/F13), Nimisha Chakkungalparambil (women's long jump T47), Varun Singh Bhati (men's high jump T63), Preeti Pal (women's 100m and 200m T35), and Ajeet Singh Yadav (men's javelin F46). Bronze medallists from the group included Sandeep Kumar (men's 100m T44), Sandip Sanjay Sargar (men's javelin combined-classification), and Anubhav Choudhary (men's 100m T35).
SAI's Role as a National Para-Sport Hub
More than 50 para-athletes currently train at the SAI JLN Stadium, which has emerged as a central base for India's competitive para-sport ecosystem. The facility's ability to host simultaneous training camps — even amid Indian Super League fixtures — has drawn praise from athletes and coaches alike. With India's para-sport ambitions growing ahead of future international cycles, the role of centralised, high-performance infrastructure is only expected to expand.
Point of View
Not just a press release. India's record 114-medal haul at the Asian Para Games 2026 has multiple parents, but the SAI system's ability to keep para-athletes on priority training schedules even amid competing events is an underreported competitive edge. The question now is whether this model scales — or whether it remains a New Delhi-centric story while regional para-sport infrastructure lags.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Navdeep Singh win at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Navdeep Singh won bronze in the men's javelin throw F40/F41 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. It was an improvement on his fourth-place finish at the 2022 edition.
Why did Navdeep Singh credit SAI's JLN Stadium?
Navdeep credited the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi for providing uninterrupted track access and a competitive training environment that helped him acclimatise before the Games. He noted that the facility kept Asian Games preparation as a priority even during concurrent ISL football matches.
How did India perform overall at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India finished fourth in the overall medal standings with 114 medals — 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze — marking its best-ever performance at the continental para-sport event. Para-athletics alone contributed 65 of those medals.
Which other athletes from JLN Stadium won medals at the Asian Para Games 2026?
A total of 14 medallists from the SAI JLN Stadium training group competed at the Games. Gold medallists included Praveen Kumar (high jump T64), Sandeep Kumar (400m T64, with a world record), Pranav Soorma (club throw F51), Rinku Hooda (javelin F46), and Simran Sharma (100m and 200m T12, both Games records).
How many para-athletes train at SAI's JLN Stadium?
More than 50 para-athletes currently train at the SAI Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, making it one of India's primary centralised bases for high-performance para-sport preparation.
