Nagoya (Japan): Indian para-athlete Ayush Verma clinched the gold medal in the men’s shot put F53 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Nagoya on Wednesday, taking India’s gold medal count to 10 and overall medal tally to 38.
Ayush secured the top spot with a best throw of 8.16 metres on his fifth attempt in the seated throwing event. The victory marked his second medal at the Games, following a bronze in the men’s javelin F53/54 event on Tuesday.
With his gold medal, India remained sixth in the overall medal standings at the continental multi-sport event.
In para-badminton, Paralympic medallist Suhas Yathiraj advanced to the semifinals of the men’s singles SL4 category after defeating South Korea’s N. Cho in straight games.
Suhas registered a 21-12, 21-16 victory to secure at least a bronze medal for India.
However, compatriot Sukant Kadam was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the same category following a closely contested three-game defeat against Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan. Kadam lost 17-21, 21-18, 15-21.
In the men’s singles WH1 category, Prem Kumar Ale also exited in the quarterfinals after suffering a 13-21, 12-21 defeat to South Korea’s Haeseong Park.
Meanwhile, Pallavi Kaluvehalli’s campaign in the women’s singles WH1 event ended in the group stage after she suffered her third consecutive defeat. She lost 4-21, 4-21 to Japan’s Sena Tomoyose, failing to advance to the knockout rounds.
India also narrowly missed out on a medal in para-archery as Toman Kumar and Shyam Sunder Swami finished fourth in the men’s compound doubles event.
The Indian pair suffered a narrow 153-154 defeat against China in the bronze medal match.
Toman’s final arrow, which scored eight points, proved decisive. A nine would have forced a shoot-off, while a 10 would have secured the bronze medal for India.
Ayush’s gold medal strengthened India’s campaign at the Nagoya Games, while Suhas Yathiraj’s semifinal qualification assured the country of another medal in para-badminton.
[DD news]