Rinku claimed the gold medal in the Men's Javelin Throw F46 at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, with a throw of 65.11 metres, while compatriot Ajeet Singh secured the silver with 65.02 metres — a margin of just 9 centimetres — delivering a historic one-two finish for India on 19 October 2026.

Rinku and Ajeet Singh's Javelin Dominance

Rinku's gold-medal throw of 65.11 metres demonstrated exceptional strength, precision, and consistency in the F46 category, reserved for athletes with arm deficiency or impaired muscle power in the upper limb. Ajeet Singh was barely a step behind at 65.02 metres, a performance that underlined India's depth in para-athletics. Saktyono R. of Indonesia took the bronze medal with a throw of 55.30 metres, finishing well adrift of the Indian pair.

Soumya and Radha Venkatesh Add to India's Medal Haul

Soumya (with guide Bharath Kumar) won the gold in the Women's 1500m T12/T13 final at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium with a time of 5:12.39s, accumulating 621 Raza points. Radha Venkatesh (with guide Govind Solanki) claimed the silver in the same event with a time of 5:30.90s and 421 Raza points. Japan's Mana Sasaki (T13) took the bronze after clocking 5:12.15s, but accrued only 336 Raza points — a reminder that Raza points, not raw time, determine final rankings in combined T12/T13 events.

Both Soumya and Radha are Karnataka-based athletes. Soumya had previously triumphed at the Asian Youth Para Games 2025, the New Delhi Grand Prix 2026, and the Indian Open 2026. Radha is a decorated veteran who won gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games and claimed a silver and a bronze at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Kokila's Judo Silver

In judo, Kokila — a TOPS athlete ranked World No. 3 and a 2024 Asian Championship silver medallist — settled for the silver medal after losing to Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy by Ippon in just 21 seconds. Ulanbek Kyzy, ranked World No. 2 and the 2026 World Championship silver medallist and 2025 Asian Championship gold medallist, proved too strong on the day. Notably, Kokila had previously won bronze at the 2022 Asian Para Games in the Women's J2 -48kg category; for the LA 2028 cycle, the weight categories have been restructured and she now competes at -52kg.

India's Growing Para-Athletics Footprint

The string of medals — a javelin one-two, a 1500m gold-silver, and a judo silver — reflects the sustained investment India has made in para-sport infrastructure and athlete support through programmes like TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme). This comes amid growing international recognition of Indian para-athletes, with the country set to target stronger showings at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games. How India converts these Asian Para Games performances into Paralympic medals will be the benchmark that matters most.