Asian Para Games conclude in Nagoya: India sign off with record 114 medals, finish fourth

NEW DELHI: India signed off from the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games with their best-ever medal haul of 114 medals as the week-long continental competition concluded with a closing ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.Double gold medallists Nishad Kumar and Mona Agarwal led the Indian contingent as flag-bearers at the ceremony, marking the end of a landmark campaign in which the country's para-athletes delivered historic victories, world-record performances and podium sweeps across disciplines.India finished fourth in the overall standings with 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals, surpassing its previous best of 108 medals at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.Held in Japan for the first time, the fifth edition of the Asian Para Games brought together around 4,000 athletes and staff from 45 countries and regions. The competition featured 18 sports, with more than 20 world records reportedly set during the seven-day event.ALSO READ: India script history with best-ever fourth-place finishIndia finish fourth as China lead medal standingsChina topped the medal table with 435 medals, including 207 gold, while hosts Japan finished second with 186 medals — 64 gold, 60 silver and 62 bronze. Uzbekistan emerged as the third-ranked nation, collecting 145 medals, including 45 gold.India's fourth-place finish was particularly significant given the size of its contingent. A total of 168 para-athletes represented the country at Aichi-Nagoya, compared with 309 at the previous edition in Hangzhou.President Droupadi Murmu congratulated the Indian contingent on its record performance, saying the achievement reflected the athletes' hard work, perseverance and self-belief.In a post on X, Murmu said the unprecedented medal haul would inspire young people to dream big, work with dedication and remain positive in the face of challenges. She also extended her congratulations to the entire Indian contingent.Para athletics leads India's medal chargePara athletics was India's biggest medal contributor, accounting for 65 medals — 22 gold, 19 silver and 24 bronze. Para badminton followed with 16 medals, including three gold, five silver and eight bronze.India also won 11 medals in para swimming, seven in para table tennis, six in para archery and five in para shooting. The contingent added two medals each in para judo and para powerlifting.Doha to host next edition in 2030The closing ceremony brought together athletes, officials and dignitaries to mark the conclusion of the Games. Asian Paralympic Committee president Majid Rashed declared the event closed, highlighting the growing strength of para sport across Asia and its role in building a more inclusive society.Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi also praised the athletes' determination, teamwork and sportsmanship, describing their performances as a reminder of the “profound beauty” of para sports.The Asian Para Games began in Guangzhou, China, in 2010, evolving from the Far East and South Pacific Games Federation for the Disabled. The Aichi-Nagoya edition was the fifth staging of the event, with Doha, Qatar, scheduled to host the sixth in 2030.For India, the closing ceremony marked the end of a historic campaign — one that raised the country's medal benchmark and showcased the depth and growing strength of its para-sport movement.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.