A WAVE of pride sailed through Aichi-Nagoya in a space of one month as the Indian tri-colour fluttered high to mark another milestone for India’s sports fraternity. Surpassing all expectations, India’s para-sportspersons came up with a sensational performance in the Asian Para Games as the country finished 4th in the final medal standings. It not only marked the best-ever show by the para-athletes but also underscored the country’s resolve to make itself a sporting superpower across all disciplines. India’s para-athletes deserve a standing ovation for their tremendous showing in the Asian Para Games despite having a trimmed contingent from the last tournament. A mammoth medal haul of 114 with 30 gold was achieved by a focused squad of 168 athletes (112 men and 56 women) marking the success of precise planning and investment in promising players.

 

The medal haul in Nagoya beat the previous record of 111 medals (29 gold, 31 silver, 51 bronze) set at Hangzhou 2023. That came with a squad of 309 which tells the actual story of India’s success in Nagoya Games. Planning was the key for India in the Asian Para Games as the Sports Ministry adopted a strict selection criteria. The quota handed by the organisers made it imperative for the ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to focus on talent which was ready to translate its potential into medals. Despite murmurs about selection in the para-fraternity, the ministry went ahead with its set policy which has now paid excellent returns. The Para Asiad not only saw a plethora of world records set by Indian athletes but also great surge in several track and field events where India claimed podium sweeps. Indian athletes left their dominating stamp in many events to create new records. Shooter-turned-thrower Haney set world record in javelin throw while Sandeep clocked 52.28s for a gold in men’s 400m. Flag-bearer Mona Agarwal won gold medal in women’s 50m rifle shooting and the icing was provided by Sheetal Devi’s double gold in individual and mixed team compound archery with Toman Kumar. Most of these athletes were primed for great heights in Nagoya after the world-class training made available for athletes by SAI and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme.

 

Their strict criteria and training regimen meant a focused preparation for players with the only aim of taking India higher up in the medals standing. All the meticulous ground work paid off as the athletes were also motivated by recognition and fame. The success in Asian Para Games is another reminder to the country about the sporting potential India holds despite physical disabilities to a few sportspersons. It also underscored the importance of unbiased support from the authorities to any initiative. TOPS has been supporting most of the para-athletes through their schemes. It has sent a positive message among the para-sportspersons who stood up in Nagoya, surmounted both physical and emotional hurdles and catapulted India into the top four in the continent.