Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan lauded the country's para-athletes after they scripted history at the Asian Para Games 2026, returning with a record haul of 114 medals and securing their best-ever fourth-place finish in the continental event.
India's para-athletes marched with the national flags at the closing ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Friday, bringing the curtains down on a landmark campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The contingent finished with 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals, surpassing its previous best of 108 medals at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou.
Congratulating the athletes on their achievement, Dhawan took to X and wrote: “A record 114 medals and India’s best-ever fourth-place finish at the Asian Para Games! 🇮🇳 Congratulations to our para-athletes on a phenomenal campaign. You have shown us what dedication, belief and hard work can achieve. Champions! 🙌”
India's performance in Japan was particularly impressive given that the contingent comprised 168 para-athletes, significantly fewer than the 309 who represented the country in Hangzhou three years ago. Despite the smaller contingent, Indian athletes delivered outstanding performances across disciplines, including para-athletics, para-badminton, para-archery, para-shooting, table tennis and swimming.
The 2026 medal tally improved on India's previous best at the 2022 Games, when the country initially won 111 medals before three were revoked following doping violations involving Neeraj Yadav and Parveen, leaving the final tally at 108 medals.
Double gold medallist para-shooter Mona Agarwal and high-jumper Nishad Kumar carried the Indian flag as co-flag-bearers at Friday's closing ceremony, symbolising the country's memorable campaign.
India's para-athletes marched with the national flags at the closing ceremony at Paloma Mizuho Stadium on Friday, bringing the curtains down on a landmark campaign in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The contingent finished with 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals, surpassing its previous best of 108 medals at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou.
Congratulating the athletes on their achievement, Dhawan took to X and wrote: “A record 114 medals and India’s best-ever fourth-place finish at the Asian Para Games! 🇮🇳 Congratulations to our para-athletes on a phenomenal campaign. You have shown us what dedication, belief and hard work can achieve. Champions! 🙌”
India surpass previous best despite smaller contingent
India's performance in Japan was particularly impressive given that the contingent comprised 168 para-athletes, significantly fewer than the 309 who represented the country in Hangzhou three years ago. Despite the smaller contingent, Indian athletes delivered outstanding performances across disciplines, including para-athletics, para-badminton, para-archery, para-shooting, table tennis and swimming.
The 2026 medal tally improved on India's previous best at the 2022 Games, when the country initially won 111 medals before three were revoked following doping violations involving Neeraj Yadav and Parveen, leaving the final tally at 108 medals.
Mona Agarwal, Nishad Kumar lead Indian contingent at closing ceremony
Double gold medallist para-shooter Mona Agarwal and high-jumper Nishad Kumar carried the Indian flag as co-flag-bearers at Friday's closing ceremony, symbolising the country's memorable campaign.