Asian Para Games 2026 to Begin in Japan, India Eyes Another Record Medal Haul
Around 3,000 athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees to compete across 18 sports; Pramod Bhagat and Simran Sharma named India’s flag-bearers.
The Asian Para Games 2026 will officially open in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, today, with India aiming to build on its record-breaking medal performance at the previous edition. The fifth edition of the continental sporting event will bring together around 3,000 athletes from 45 National Paralympic Committees.
The Games will continue until October 24, with competitions scheduled across 18 sports.
The opening ceremony will be held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya under the theme “WABI: We Are Beautiful Individuals.” The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 2:30 PM Indian Standard Time.
Several sporting events, including blind football, para badminton, para table tennis and boccia, are scheduled to begin before the opening ceremony.
Para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat and sprinter Simran Sharma will serve as India’s flag-bearers during the opening ceremony.
Simran has replaced para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel to allow Patel adequate rest ahead of her quarter-final match scheduled for the following day.
India has fielded a 281-member contingent, comprising 168 athletes and 113 officials and support staff. The Indian athletes include 112 men and 56 women, who will compete across 11 sporting disciplines.
The Indian contingent features several prominent para-athletes expected to lead the country’s medal challenge. They include javelin thrower Sumit Antil, para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat, para-shooter Avani Lekhara, para-archer Sheetal Devi, sprinter Simran Sharma and para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel.
India will look to draw on the experience and achievements of these athletes as they prepare to compete against leading para-sport talent from across Asia.
At the Asian Para Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China, India secured a record 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze, to finish fifth in the overall medal standings.
The achievement surpassed India’s previous best of 72 medals at the 2018 edition held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
With a strong contingent across 11 disciplines, India will aim to build on that historic performance at the 2026 Games and improve its position in the continental medal standings.
The upcoming competition is expected to provide India’s para-athletes with another opportunity to showcase their talent, determination and sporting excellence on the international stage.
