Asian Para Games: India finish with record 111 medals, fifth in overall tally

India entered the fourth and final day of the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou with one medal separating them from a century. That milestone achievement came courtesy Dilip Mahadu Gavit in Men’s 400m T47 final. India’s para-athletes then furthered the tally to 111 medals – 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze – to close the Games out.

India won 12 medals on the fourth and final day of the competition with four gold, two silver and six bronze medals.

Gavit claimed the gold medal in Men’s 400m T47 event with a time of 49.48 seconds which saw him finish ahead of Nur Ferry Pradana of Indonesia and Marawaka Subasinghe of Sri Lanka who clinched silver and bronze respectively.

India have hit the 100 medal mark for the first time at an Asian Para Games. The previous best was 72 medals in 2018 when they clinched 15 gold, 24 silver and 33 bronze medals.

With the help of this remarkable achievement, the Indian para-athletes have emulated the success of the able-bodied athletes at the Asian Games. They had won 107 medals for a record finish in the continental showpiece event.

India’s medals in Para-Athletics came courtesy Neeraj Yadav (gold in men’s javelin throw F55), Tek Chand (bronze in men’s javelin throw F55) and Pooja (bronze in Women’s 1500m T20).

The bulk of the medals came in chess – seven of them – including two gold, one silver and four bronze. The men’s and women’s teams won gold and bronze respectively in Rapid V1-B1 events. Individual medals came from Darpan Inani (gold in Para Chess B1), Soundarya Pradhan (silver in Para Chess B1), Ashwin Makwana (Bronze in Para Chess B1), Kishan Gangoli (bronze in Men’s Para Chess B2).

India also won a silver medal in rowing with Anita and Narayana Konganapalle finishing second in PR3 Mixed Double Sculls.

100 MEDALS at the Asian Para Games! A moment of unparalleled joy. This success is a result of the sheer talent, hard work, and determination of our athletes.

This remarkable milestone fills our hearts with immense pride. I extend my deepest appreciation and gratitude to our… pic.twitter.com/UYQD0F9veM

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 28, 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the para-athletes in a post on social media. He posted, “100 MEDALS at the Asian Para Games! A moment of unparalleled joy. This success is a result of the sheer talent, hard work, and determination of our athletes….They serve as a reminder that nothing is impossible for our youth.”