Desk Report
India’s campaign at the Asian Para Games continues to gather momentum. On 21 October, Indian para athlete Ayush Verma clinched the gold medal in the men’s shot put F53 event, recording his best throw of 8.16 metres on his fifth attempt. This is India’s 10th gold medal at the Games.
Ayush Verma: Two Days, Two Medals
Ayush’s achievement is all the more remarkable because just a day earlier, on 20 October, he had won the bronze medal in the men’s javelin throw F53/54 event. Two medals in two consecutive days — a bronze and a gold — a testament to his superb form and mental strength.
The shot put F53 is a wheelchair category event in which athletes throw from a seated position. In this category, technique matters as much as raw strength. Ayush’s 8.16m throw on his fifth attempt left his competitors behind and underlined the growing strength of Indian para athletics.
India’s Medal Tally: 38 Medals, 10 Golds, Sixth Place
With Ayush’s gold, India’s gold medal count has risen to 10, while the overall medal tally stands at 38. India is placed sixth on the medal table. These figures are as per ANI’s latest tally — numbers reported by different outlets may vary, so the latest official table should be consulted for confirmation.
Para Badminton: Suhas Yathiraj Reaches Semifinal, Medal Assured
There was more good news from para badminton. Suhas Yathiraj (SL4 category) defeated South Korea’s N. Cho in straight games, 21-12, 21-16, to storm into the semifinal. Reaching the semifinal assures him of a medal — only the colour remains to be decided.
Suhas Yathiraj is among India’s most experienced and successful para badminton players, and his performances in the SL4 category have consistently been world-class. In this match, he maintained the lead from the start in both games and gave the Korean player no chance of a comeback.
Archery: Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag Win Silver
In the women’s compound doubles final, the Indian pair of Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag lost to China but won the silver medal, making the country proud. Reaching the final is itself a major achievement, and playing against a strong team like China will add to the Indian archers’ experience.
Sheetal Devi is a rising star of Indian para archery, and this silver medal marks another important milestone in her career. Her pairing with Payal Nag delivered excellent performances throughout the tournament.
Background: India’s Rise in Para Sports
Indian para athletes have shown steady improvement over the past decade. From the Paralympic Games to the Asian Para Games, Indian athletes have won medals on every major stage. Government schemes like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), better training facilities, and financial support for athletes have played a big role in this transformation.
The Asian Para Games is the biggest stage for Asia’s para athletes, and winning 38 medals reflects the depth of the Indian contingent. Medals across athletics, badminton, and archery signal that India’s para sports ecosystem no longer depends on one or two stars but stands on a strong pipeline.
What Next?
The Games are still underway, and more medals are expected from the Indian contingent. All eyes will now be on Suhas Yathiraj’s semifinal — can he reach the final and stake a claim for gold? Several athletics events are also still to come, with Indian athletes in medal contention.
Ayush Verma’s story is particularly inspiring — winning two medals in two days, this athlete has shown that dedication and hard work can overcome any barrier. His performance will serve as an example for young para athletes.
Disclaimer: This news is prepared on the basis of available sources and verification. Corrections will be published if any fact is found to be in error.
