Prachi Yadav became the first Indian to win a para canoe gold in the Asian Para Games.
Para athlete Dilip Gavit, fresh off a Commonwealth Games gold in the 100m, is now focused on breaking world records in both the 100m and 400m events at the upcoming Para Asian Games in Japan. Gavit, who competes in the T47 category, also shared insights into his training, his past achievements in able-bodied events, and the crucial role of his coach, Vaijanath Kale, in his journey.
The Sports Ministry's Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) has sanctioned Rs 35.46 lakh for overseas training stints for Paralympic medallists Ajeet Singh (javelin) and Pranav Soorma (club throw) to prepare them for the upcoming Asian Para-Games in Japan. Both athletes, part of the TOPS core group, will train in Germany and Czechia respectively, with Pranav also participating in multiple championships.
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated para-powerlifter Jhandu Kumar with a Rs 10 lakh cash prize for his bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi has been significantly affected by the conflict in West Asia and the month of Ramzan, leading to a sharp decline in international participation.
Subedar Hokato Sema lost his leg in a mine blast on the Line of Control. Today he is a champion para shot-putter and among the most decorated para soldier-athletes.
With 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze in their kitty, the Indian para athletes won four medals more than the record tally of 107 won by the able-bodied athletes in the Hangzhou Asian Games, held from September 23 to October 8.
India's para-athletes, led by Sumit Antil, dominated the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, securing numerous gold medals and leading the overall medal tally.
Sumit Antil spearheaded India's impressive performance at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix, securing gold in the javelin throw. Indian athletes dominated various events, including the 400m and throwing disciplines.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer announced that India will send 125-130 athletes to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, participating in eight able-bodied and four para sports. The IOA is also preparing for the Asian Games and is in talks with the IOC for India's 2036 Olympic bid in Ahmedabad, which is also set to host the 2030 CWG. Iyer clarified that the IOA will not interfere in athlete selection matters.
Indian judoka Arun Kumar has been withdrawn from the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games after failing an out-of-competition dope test. He tested positive for an anabolic steroid and has been provisionally suspended by NADA, reducing India's judo contingent.
Paris Paralympic gold medallist Praveen Kumar had to settle for bronze in the men's T64 high jump at the Asian Para Games after clearing a season's best 2.00 metres.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reaffirmed India's commitment to hosting the 2036 Olympic Games and unveiled a comprehensive nationwide talent hunt programme aimed at identifying and nurturing sporting talent among children aged five to 15 years.
India is set to host the Asia Cup archery tournament in Delhi in 2027, marking the return of major international archery events to the country after 22 years. Ahmedabad will host the Asian Para Archery Championships in September, and Kolkata will host the South Asian Archery Championships in 2026.
Paris Paralympics club throw gold medallist Dharambir Nain and double bronze winner sprinter Preethi Pal have been named as India's flag bearers for the opening ceremony on September 27.
Sumit Antil sent his spear to a distance of 69.50m to stand to claim the gold medal.
'When I threw in the warm-up, I knew I would do well. I thought I would touch 67-68. But I got a gold medal at 66m.'
Preparations for the World Para Athletics Championships are going as per schedule with laying of Mondo tracks in both competition venue and training area set to be completed by September 1
A summary of Indian athletes' showing at the Paralympics in Paris on Saturday.
Sachin Sarjerao Khilari defended his gold medal in the men's shot put F46 category with an Asian record at the World Para Athletics Championship.
The likes of Antil, who is bidding to become the first Indian to defend his Paralympics gold, will train at facilities near the French capital to acclimatise with the weather conditions there.
Sachin Khilari's silver is the 11th medal from athletics at the Paralympics.
India's Navdeep Singh claimed gold medal in a dramatic men's javelin throw F41 final while Simran won the bronze medal in the women's 200m T12 final at the Paralympic Games in Paris on Saturday.
'In general, I needed a short break from sports because I had worked extremely hard for the Paralympics. I was happy with my performance, but not winning a medal left me a little disappointed. I channelled my energy into other things... overall, the past year has been wonderful in its own way.'
How India's athletes fared at the Paris Paralympic Games on Friday.
Rinku Hooda and Ajeet Singh finished third and fourth respectively in the men's F46 javelin throw final on Friday, but the result was put on hold after India lodged a protest that Herath was ineligible to compete in the category.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
Sachin Yadav, who will be competing in his first international competition in the Asian Championships, is considered the next big thing in men's javelin after Neeraj Chopra.
It was a "moment to cherish" for Pramod Bhagat who on Saturday clinched India's first badminton gold in Paralympics and he attributed his win against Great Britain's Daniel Bethell in the finals to a strategy that he devised after losing to the same opponent in the past.
India's Tokyo Paralympics gold winner Pramod Bhagat was on Thursday named among six shuttlers for the Male Para Badminton Player of the Year by the sport's world body but none of his compatriots featured in the able-bodied awards' categories.
Reigning World champion Pramod Bhagat continued India's fine showing at the Tokyo Paralympics with a gold medal in the badminton SL3 class event, in Tokyo, on Saturday. The 33-year-old Bhagat, who is also the world No. 1 and current Asian champion, scored a 21-11, 21-16 win over Japan's Daisuke Fujihara in the first SL3 class semi-final, which lasted 36 minutes.
The IIT Mandi graduate thus ensured that India return with a medal from the SL3 category, after Pramod Bhagat clinched the gold when para badminton made its debut three years ago in Tokyo.
The proposals of six para-athletes, who are training in India and abroad ahead of the Asian Para Games that will take place between October 6 and 13 in Jakarta, were also cleared at the meeting.
Indian shuttler Tarun Dhillon missed out on a bronze medal after he faced a defeat at the hands of Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan in the men's singles SL4 event of the Tokyo Paralympics on Sunday.
The Indian runner, who turns 21 later this month, clocked 55.82 seconds to finish behind Yuliia Shuliar (55.16 seconds) of Ukraine and World record holder Aysel Onder (55.23) of Turkey.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
Shooter Avani Lekhara crashed out in the qualification round of the mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 event at the Tokyo Games on Wednesday.
Indian freestyle wrestlers claim Asian team title in U-17 category
A summary of Indian athletes' showing at the Paralympics in Paris on Wednesday.
In 2022, he raced past Usain Bolt, 'the world's fastest man', to become the world's most written-about athlete. The attention has followed a stream of medals: Asian Games gold twice, an Olympic gold, and silver and gold at the World Athletics Championships.
