India’s Golden Run at Asian Para Games 2026: Nitesh Kumar Beats Pramod Bhagat as Indian Athletes Shine in Nagoya



Nagoya, Japan, October 23, 2026: Indian athletes continued their impressive medal-winning campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games, delivering outstanding performances across para-badminton, archery and athletics. Among the major highlights was Nitesh Kumar’s victory over fellow Indian and two-time Asian Para Games champion Pramod Bhagat in the men’s singles SL3 badminton final.

Nitesh secured the gold medal with a straight-games victory, winning 21-18, 21-16. The result added another major achievement to India’s para-badminton campaign and highlighted the depth of talent in the country’s para-sports programme.

India’s athletes have also produced notable results in archery and track-and-field events, helping the contingent maintain its strong position at the continental competition.



Nitesh Kumar Wins Gold After Defeating Pramod Bhagat

The men’s singles SL3 final provided one of the most closely watched contests of India’s para-badminton campaign.

Nitesh Kumar defeated Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 to claim the gold medal. Both players are Paralympic gold medallists, making the all-Indian final a significant contest between two accomplished athletes.

For Nitesh, the victory was especially meaningful after he narrowly missed out on gold at the previous edition. Speaking after the match, he described winning the title in straight games as particularly special.

Bhagat, who had won the Asian Para Games men’s singles title in 2018 and 2022, finished with the silver medal. His performance nevertheless added another podium finish to his record at the continental event.



Naveen Sivakumar Adds Another Badminton Gold

India’s success in para-badminton extended beyond the SL3 category, with Naveen Sivakumar winning gold in the men’s singles SL4 final.

Naveen defeated Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan 21-9, 21-17 in 36 minutes to secure the title.

The victory gave India another gold medal in men’s singles para-badminton and demonstrated the country’s strength across different classification categories.

In para-badminton, classifications such as SL3 and SL4 are designed for athletes with different levels of lower-limb impairment. The categories allow competitors to compete against others with comparable functional abilities.







Indian Archers Deliver Strong Performances

Indian para-archers have also been among the notable performers at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar won the compound mixed-team gold medal after defeating Indonesia’s Teodora Audi Ayudia Ferelly and Ken Swagumilang 151-148.

The Indian pair entered the final after strong qualification performances, with the team maintaining its advantage through the match to secure the title.

Swati Chaudhary also made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in the women’s W1 individual event at the Asian Para Games. She earned silver after losing 4-6 to China’s Mengkan Cen in the final.

These results added to India’s medal count in para-archery and highlighted the performances of athletes competing in different bow styles and classifications.



Athletics Continues to Drive India’s Medal Haul

Para-athletics has been a major contributor to India’s success in Nagoya, with athletes securing medals in track and field events.

Indian competitors have reached the podium in sprint races, middle-distance events, jumps and throwing disciplines. Their performances have helped the country accumulate medals across a wide range of classifications.

The competition has also featured record-setting performances, reflecting the high level of competition among athletes from across Asia.

India’s results in athletics, combined with achievements in archery, shooting, swimming and para-badminton, have demonstrated the breadth of the contingent’s campaign.



India Targets a Strong Finish in Nagoya

The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games are being held in Japan from October 18 to 24, bringing together athletes from across Asia in 18 para-sports.

India entered the competition aiming to build on its performance at the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, where it won 111 medals, including 29 golds.

The current campaign has featured medal-winning performances from both experienced champions and athletes making their mark on the continental stage.

With further finals and medal events scheduled before the closing ceremony, Indian athletes have additional opportunities to add to the country’s tally.



Conclusion

India’s campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games has continued to produce significant achievements across multiple sports. Nitesh Kumar’s victory over Pramod Bhagat in the men’s singles SL3 final was one of the standout moments, while Naveen Sivakumar’s gold and the performances of Indian archers added to the celebration.

As the competition approaches its conclusion on October 24, India’s athletes will look to build on their results and finish the Games with further podium finishes.

The performances in Nagoya underline the dedication, skill and competitive spirit of India’s para-athletes, who continue to make their mark on the international sporting stage.



Get More News on Swaggbuzz