India made a strong start at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning 11 medals on the opening day on October 19. The tally included four gold, five silver and two bronze medals, placing India fourth in the medal standings behind China, Japan and Uzbekistan.
Four gold medal winners
Mona Agarwal won gold in the women’s 10-metre air rifle standing SH1 event with 250.0 points, setting a new Games record. Fellow Indian shooter Avani Lekhara claimed silver with 249.6 points.
Nishad Kumar secured gold in the men’s T47 long jump with an impressive effort of 7.11 metres.
Rinku Hooda won the men’s F46 javelin throw with a best effort of 65.11 metres, finishing ahead of compatriot Ajeet Singh, who took silver.
Soumya Kumar claimed gold in the women’s 1,500-metre T12/T13 race in 5 minutes 12.39 seconds. Radha Venkatesh won silver in the same event.
India’s other medals came from Avani Lekhara, judo player Kokila and swimmer Ravi Karthik Budigina, who won silver. Judoka Kapil Parmar and athlete Ravanni Valasanaini secured bronze.
The classifications explain the athletes’ competition categories. T47 is an athletics class for athletes with certain arm impairments, while SH1 is a shooting class for athletes who can support their firearm without assistance.
The Games run until October 24, giving India further opportunities to add to its medal tally.
