Punjab Newsline | New Delhi

Asian Para Games 2026 began in Aichi-Nagoya on Monday, with Indian athletes making an impressive start to their campaign. Nishad Kumar won a gold medal in the men's T47 long jump event, while para table tennis player Prachi Pandey assured India of another medal by reaching the semifinals.

Nishad secured the gold medal with his best jump of 7.11 metres, adding to India's medal tally at the continental sporting event.

In para table tennis, Prachi Pandey booked her place in the semifinals of the Class 6 competition after defeating Thailand's Kanokporn Phathumchai. Her entry into the last four guarantees India another medal in the event.

Athletes from across Asia are competing in several disciplines at the Games, including para archery, para athletics, para badminton, boccia, para cycling, blind football, para judo, para powerlifting, shooting para sport, para swimming and para table tennis.

India's campaign features several prominent para-athletes, including Avani Lekhara, Nishad Kumar, Sheetal Devi, Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar, Suhas Yathiraj, Nitesh Kumar and Mansi Joshi.

With Nishad's gold medal and Prachi's confirmed podium finish, India has made a positive start to its campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026.