Nagoya (Japan): Indian athletes made a spectacular start to the 2026 Asian Para Games, winning 11 medals on the opening day on Monday, including four gold, five silver and two bronze medals. Competitors from India in four different sports began bringing glory to the country right from the first day of the multi-sport event. Shooter Mona Agarwal, who competes from a wheelchair, and high jumper Nishad Kumar were among the standout performers, with both winning gold medals. In table tennis, two Gujarati women players reached the semifinals, assuring themselves of medals.
Sheetal Devi of Jammu and Kashmir, who has already created several records despite being born without both arms, also made a remarkable impression. She equalled the world record in the women’s individual compound archery qualification round and established a new Asian Para Games record. Partnering Toman Kumar, she also set a new world record in the mixed team qualification round.
The 19-year-old Sheetal does not have both arms, but uses her legs to position the bow and releases arrows towards the target with the help of her shoulder and jaw. She scored 704 points out of a maximum 720 in the individual qualification round. She broke the Asian record of 698 points and equalled the world record held by Turkey’s Oznur Girdi with her score of 704.
Sheetal subsequently teamed up with Toman to set a new world record of 1,402 points in the mixed team qualification round. Sheetal had earlier set a world record of 1,400 points with Rakesh Kumar, but the Indian archer has now surpassed that mark with her new partner, Toman.
India Fourth in the Medal Tally
By late Monday evening, India were fourth in the medal standings with 11 medals, including four gold. China led the table with 53 medals, including 20 gold, followed by Japan with 24 medals, including seven gold. Uzbekistan were third with 22 medals, including six gold, while India occupied fourth place with 11 medals, including four gold.
India’s first gold medal on Monday morning came through Rajasthan’s Mona Agarwal, who won the 10m air rifle SH1 event. Mona had previously won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. India’s Avani Lekhara claimed silver alongside Mona’s gold in the Asian Para Games. Both shooters have also secured their places at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
On Monday evening, runner Soumya, high jump champion Nishad Kumar and javelin thrower Rinku brought further glory to India. All three athletes won gold medals.
India’s visually impaired judoka Kokila won silver in the women’s J2 52kg category, while Kapil Kumar secured bronze in the men’s J1 70kg category.
In swimming, Ravi Kartik Budigina won silver in the 100m freestyle S13 event, finishing the race in 56.68 seconds. The event is for athletes with partial visual impairment.
Bhavina Patel Reaches the Semifinals
In table tennis, Gujarat’s Bhavina Patel, a Paralympic silver medallist, reached the semifinals of the Asian Para Games on Monday, assuring herself of a medal. She defeated China’s Zhang 3-1 in the Class 4-5 quarterfinal, winning 8-11, 11-6, 11-1, 11-6.
Athletes in this category compete while seated in wheelchairs. India have now assured themselves of three medals in this category.
Prachi Pandey also advanced to the semifinals after defeating Thailand’s Kanokporn in her quarterfinal, winning 11-5, 11-4, 11-13, 12-10.
Another Gujarati competitor, Sonalben, secured a place in the semifinals and guaranteed herself a medal by defeating Thailand’s Dararat Asayut 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-5 in the Class 3 quarterfinal.
In para badminton, India’s Nitesh Kumar and Thulasimathi Murugesan assured the country of a medal in mixed doubles. The Indian pair received a walkover from their Chinese opponents and advanced directly to the semifinals.
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