Date: October 19, 2026
Place: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
Education News: Sports, Indian Athletes and International Games
Aichi-Nagoya, Education news: India made an impressive start at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan, winning 11 medals, including four gold, five silver and two bronze, on the opening day of medal events. Indian para-athletes delivered strong performances across shooting, athletics, judo and swimming, while para-archer Sheetal Devi created headlines by equalling the world record in women’s compound archery qualification.
The fifth edition of the Asian Para Games is being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 24, 2026. The competition brings together para-athletes from across Asia in multiple sports. India entered the event aiming for a 100-medal finish, following its record 108-medal performance at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.
India’s opening-day highlights included gold medals for Mona Agarwal, Nishad Kumar, Rinku and Soumya. Sheetal Devi also produced a record-equalling performance, strengthening India’s position in para-archery.
Asian Para Games 2026: Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Asian Para Games 2026 |
| Edition | Fifth |
| Host | Aichi-Nagoya, Japan |
| Dates | October 18–24, 2026 |
| India’s opening-day medal tally | 11 medals |
| Gold medals | 4 |
| Silver medals | 5 |
| Bronze medals | 2 |
| India’s reported position | Fourth |
| Major highlight | Sheetal Devi equalled the world record in women’s compound archery qualification |
The medal tally reflects reported standings on October 19, 2026, and is subject to change as the Games continue.
Asian Para Games 2026 Medal Tally: Which Countries Are Leading?
India stood fourth in the medal standings in the table updated at 5 pm on October 19. China led the standings, followed by Japan and Uzbekistan.
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 20 | 18 | 15 | 53 |
| 2 | Japan | 7 | 4 | 13 | 24 |
| 3 | Uzbekistan | 6 | 10 | 6 | 22 |
| 4 | India | 4 | 5 | 2 | 11 |
| 5 | Kazakhstan | 3 | 3 | 6 | 12 |
India’s four gold medals helped the country move into fourth place in the reported standings. The Indian contingent is looking to build on its previous performance and compete for medals across athletics, badminton, archery, shooting, swimming and other disciplines.
Indian Gold Medal Winners at Asian Para Games 2026
Four Indian athletes won gold medals on the opening medal day.
1. Mona Agarwal — Women’s 10m Air Rifle
Mona Agarwal won gold in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event in para shooting, scoring 250.0 points. India’s Avani Lekhara secured silver in the same event with 249.6 points, giving India a one-two finish.
2. Nishad Kumar — Men’s Long Jump T47
Nishad Kumar won gold in the men’s long jump T47 event with a leap of 7.11 metres. Known internationally for his achievements in the high jump, he made an impressive start in the long jump competition at the Games.
3. Rinku — Men’s Javelin Throw F46
Rinku secured gold in the men’s javelin throw F46 event. His victory added another gold medal to India’s opening-day tally in para-athletics.
4. Soumya — Women’s 1,500m T12/T13
Soumya won gold in the women’s 1,500-metre T12/T13 event. Her performance strengthened India’s showing in para-athletics.
Complete List of India’s Reported Medal Winners
The following table lists the Indian medal winners reported by the evening of October 19.
| Medal | Athlete | Sport and event |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Mona Agarwal | Para shooting — Women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 |
| Gold | Nishad Kumar | Para-athletics — Men’s long jump T47 |
| Gold | Rinku | Para-athletics — Men’s javelin throw F46 |
| Gold | Soumya | Para-athletics — Women’s 1,500m T12/T13 |
| Silver | Avani Lekhara | Para shooting — Women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 |
| Silver | Ajeet Singh | Para-athletics — Men’s javelin throw F46 |
| Silver | Radha Venkatesh | Para-athletics — Women’s 1,500m T12/T13 |
| Silver | Kokila | Para-judo — Women’s J2, under 52 kg |
| Silver | Ravi Karthik Budigina | Para-swimming — Men’s 100m freestyle S13 |
| Bronze | Valasanaini Ravanni | Para-athletics — Women’s 1,500m T11 |
| Bronze | Kapil Parmar | Para-judo — Men’s J1, under 70 kg |
This list reflects the reported medal results available on October 19. Additional Indian athletes may join the medal winners’ list as more events conclude.
Who Is Sheetal Devi? Indian Para-Archer Makes History in Japan
Sheetal Devi is a 19-year-old Indian para-archer from Jammu and Kashmir. She is recognised internationally for her achievements in compound archery and for developing a distinctive technique that allows her to compete at the highest level.
Born without arms, Sheetal uses her feet and legs to position the bow and her shoulder and jaw to draw and release the bowstring. Her performances have made her one of India’s leading names in para-archery.
Sheetal Devi Equals World Record With 704 Points
Sheetal delivered a record-breaking performance in the women’s compound archery qualification round at the Asian Para Games on October 19. She scored 704 points out of a possible 720, equalling the world record set by Türkiye’s Öznur Cüre Girdi at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Her score also improved her previous Asian record of 698 points by six points. She recorded 57 perfect 10s, including 32 arrows in the innermost X scoring zone, during the 72-arrow qualification round.
The achievement placed Sheetal at the top of the women’s compound qualification standings and gave India a strong start in archery.
Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag Put India on Top in Team Qualification
Indian archer Payal Nag also impressed in her Asian Para Games debut, scoring 675 points in the women’s compound qualification round.
Sheetal and Payal combined for 1,379 points, placing India first in the women’s compound team qualification standings. China finished second with 1,338 points. India’s top position secured the pair direct entry to the semifinals.
Sheetal’s qualification score is a record, but qualification results and final event medals are separate achievements. Her progress through the knockout rounds will determine the final medal outcome in the individual event.
Sheetal Devi’s Major Career Achievements
Sheetal has already built an impressive international record:
- Asian Para Games 2023: Won two gold medals and one silver medal in Hangzhou.
- Paris Paralympics 2024: Won bronze in the mixed team compound event with Rakesh Kumar.
- International para-archery: Established herself as one of the leading athletes in women’s compound archery.
- Asian Para Games 2026: Equalled the women’s compound world record with 704 points and improved her own Asian record.
Her latest performance in Japan adds another significant achievement to her career and raises expectations for India’s remaining archery events.
What Is the Asian Para Games and Why Is It Important?
The Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event for athletes with eligible impairments from countries and territories across Asia. It provides a major international platform for para-athletes to compete, improve their rankings and represent their countries.
The Games feature sports such as para-athletics, para-swimming, para-archery, para-shooting, para-badminton, para-judo and para-table tennis. Events are organised according to sport-specific classifications so that athletes compete in appropriate categories.
For India, the competition is an opportunity to build on the success of previous editions, support the development of para-sports and highlight athletes who have achieved success at continental and global levels.
What Happens Next at Asian Para Games 2026?
The Games continue until October 24, with medal events taking place across multiple sports. Indian athletes will seek to add to the opening-day tally, while archery knockout rounds will determine the final results for Sheetal Devi, Payal Nag and their competitors.
India’s target of 100 medals is an ambition, not a confirmed outcome. The final tally will depend on results throughout the competition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When are the Asian Para Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Para Games 2026 are scheduled for October 18–24, 2026, in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
2. How many medals has India won at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India had won 11 medals by the reported update on October 19: four gold, five silver and two bronze. The tally is not final.
3. Who won gold medals for India on the opening medal day?
The reported Indian gold medallists were Mona Agarwal in para shooting, Nishad Kumar in the men’s long jump T47, Rinku in the men’s javelin throw F46 and Soumya in the women’s 1,500m T12/T13.
4. What record did Sheetal Devi achieve at the Asian Para Games 2026?
Sheetal Devi scored 704 out of 720 points in women’s compound archery qualification, equalling the world record and setting a new Asian record.
5. Who is Sheetal Devi?
Sheetal Devi is a 19-year-old Indian para-archer from Jammu and Kashmir. She competes in compound archery using a specialised technique involving her feet, legs, shoulder and jaw.
6. Did Sheetal Devi win a medal in the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Her reported 704-point qualification performance equalled the world record. That result alone does not confirm an individual-event medal; the knockout rounds determine the final medal positions.
7. What is India’s medal target at the Asian Para Games 2026?
India has set a target of 100 medals. This is a goal for the contingent, not a final result.
8. Why is the Asian Para Games important for India?
The Games provide Indian para-athletes with a major international competition, encourage the growth of para-sports and give athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on a continental stage.
Conclusion
India’s opening-day performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 has provided a strong start, with 11 medals and four golds by the reported evening tally on October 19. Mona Agarwal, Nishad Kumar, Rinku and Soumya led India’s gold-medal effort, while Sheetal Devi attracted international attention by equalling the world record in women’s compound archery qualification.
As the Games continue in Japan, Indian athletes will aim to add more medals and build on the country’s past achievements. Global Education News will continue to cover important developments, medal results and standout performances from Indian athletes at the Asian Para Games 2026.
