AICHI-NAGOYA — The Indian contingent is setting the track and field ablaze at the 2026 Asian Para Games, turning Wednesday’s Day 3 action into a historic showcase of dominance and precision. With a staggering haul of 18 podium finishes in a single day—including five gold medals—India has catapulted itself to fifth place in the overall standings, pushing its total medal count to an impressive 62.
As the Games head toward the final stretch in Aichi-Nagoya, the Indian athletics team has emerged as the heartbeat of the national effort. Of the 62 total medals now secured, an astounding 42 have come from track and field events alone, keeping the nation well on track to meet its ambitious goal of securing medals in 60 of the 62 events in which they are competing.
Simran’s Record-Breaking Double and Athletics Dominance
The headline act of the day belonged to sprinter Simran, who cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage. Following her record-shattering gold in the women’s 200m T12 on Tuesday, Simran returned to the track with renewed vigor, claiming the 100m T12 gold in a Games-record time of 12.02 seconds. The visually impaired sprinter comfortably bested Iran’s Hajar Safarzadeh, who finished in 12.30 seconds, to complete a spectacular sprint double.
Not to be outdone, the field events saw India strike gold through high-jumper Praveen Kumar and shot-putters Sachin Khilari and Ayush Verma. Praveen Kumar’s performance in the men’s high jump T44/64 was a masterclass, resulting in a new Games record that solidified his position as one of the continent’s premier jumpers. Meanwhile, Sachin Khilari proved unstoppable in the men’s shot put F46, and Ayush Verma added to the tally in the F53 category, showcasing the depth and diversity of India’s para-athletic talent.
The track also witnessed a memorable one-two finish for India in the men’s 100m T47. Dilip Gavit took the top honors in 10.69 seconds, while Mohammed Morssinganakath Basil clinched the silver with a time of 10.72 seconds, which also eclipsed the previous Games record.
Preethi Pal and the Depth of the Podium
While the gold medalists captured the spotlight, the relentless consistency of the Indian squad was underscored by athletes like Preethi Pal. Building on her momentum from Paris, where she secured double bronze, Pal picked up her second silver of these Games in the women’s 100m T35. Her ability to replicate high-level performances on back-to-back days reflects the rigorous preparation of the Indian team.
The morning session was a conveyor belt of success, with silvers coming from Banti in the men’s high jump T44/64, Bhagyashri Jadhav in the women’s shot put F34, Mohd Yasser in the men’s shot put F46, and Manjeet in the men’s javelin F12/13. The bronze count was also bolstered by gritty performances from Anubhav Choudhary (100m T35), Parveen (shot put F46), and Rakeshbhai Bhatt (100m T37).
Archery, Swimming, and Badminton Keep the Momentum
India’s success was not confined to the athletics oval. In a display of poise under pressure, armless compound archer Sheetal Devi and her partner Payal Nag delivered a silver-medal performance in the women’s doubles event. Despite a tough final against a formidable Chinese duo, the pair’s performance underscored the rising profile of Indian para-archery.
The aquatics center also saw the tricolor flying high. Ravi Kartik Budigina, competing in the visually impaired category, grabbed his second silver of the Games in the men’s 100m backstroke S13, finishing with a time of 1:10.10. His teammate Himanshu Nandal joined him on the podium with a bronze in the men’s 100m breaststroke S11. In the powerlifting arena, Kasthuri Rajamani provided a highlight for the history books, securing a silver in the women’s 67kg class—the most significant achievement of her professional career to date.
Meanwhile, the badminton courts are shaping up to be a gold mine for India. The men’s singles SL4 category has already guaranteed three medals for the country, as stalwarts Suhas L Y, Naveen Sivakumar, and Abhijeet Sakhuja all charged into the semifinals. Additionally, the pair of Krishna Nagar and Sivarajan Solaimalai secured a silver in the men’s doubles SH6, navigating a challenging group format to ensure their place on the podium.
Eyes on the Prize: Looking Toward the Finish
With a current tally of 14 gold, 22 silver, and 26 bronze medals, India has firmly established itself as a top-five power at the 2026 Asian Para Games. As the competition pushes toward Saturday’s closing events, the momentum within the Indian camp is palpable.
With more medals expected from the badminton semifinals and continued action in various disciplines, the contingent is showing no signs of fatigue. The mission for the final days is clear: maintain the pace, protect the lead, and continue to push the boundaries of what is possible on the international sporting stage. For India’s para-athletes, the story in Aichi-Nagoya is only just reaching its climax.
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