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India have created history at the Asian Para Games with their best-ever medal haul, finishing the competition with an impressive 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze. The Indian contingent surpassed its previous record of 108 medals, achieved at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.
Indian para-athletes delivered outstanding performances across multiple sporting disciplines, making this edition a memorable one for the country. On Friday, the final day of India's campaign, athletes won nine gold medals, further strengthening the country's position in the medal standings.
This achievement is particularly special because India reached the milestone with a contingent of just 168 athletes, almost half the size of its team at the 2023 edition.
India Break Previous Asian Para Games Record With 114 Medals
India's previous best performance at the Asian Para Games came in 2023, when the country won 108 medals in Hangzhou. However, the Indian contingent went a step further this time by increasing its overall tally to 114 medals.
The medal count included 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals, highlighting India's impressive performance throughout the competition.
India was placed fourth in the medal table. However, some finals were scheduled for Saturday, with no Indian athletes participating in those events. Therefore, the final medal standings could still change.
Athletics Leads India's Medal Tally With 65 Medals at Asian Para Games
Athletics emerged as India's biggest medal-winning discipline at the Asian Para Games. Indian athletes secured a remarkable 65 medals in athletics, which was 12 more than their performance at the 2023 Hangzhou edition.
Apart from athletics, badminton, archery and shooting also contributed significantly to India's medal tally. These performances helped the country achieve its highest-ever gold medal count at the competition.
Nitesh Kumar and Naveen Shivkumar Win Gold Medals in Badminton
Indian badminton players delivered outstanding performances, winning three gold medals and adding valuable medals to the country's overall tally.
Paris Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar won gold in the men's singles SL3 category. He defeated fellow Indian and Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in the final.
Meanwhile, Naveen Shivkumar made a memorable debut at the Asian Para Games by winning gold in the men's singles SL4 category. He defeated Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan 21-9, 21-17 in the final to secure the top prize.
Thulasimathi Murugesan Shines at Asian Para Games With Three Medals
Indian shuttler Thulasimathi Murugesan was another standout performer at the competition. The 24-year-old finished her campaign with one gold and two silver medals.
She partnered with Mansi Joshi to win gold in the women's doubles SL3-SU5 category. The Indian pair defeated China's Yang Qiu Xia and Xiao Zuxian 21-16, 21-13 in the final.
Thulasimathi also secured silver in the women's singles SU5 category after losing to China's Yang Qiu Xia 18-21, 11-21 in the final.
Her third medal came in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 category, where she partnered with Nitesh Kumar to claim another silver medal.
India's 114-Medal Haul Sets New Benchmark in Asian Para Games History
India's performance at the Asian Para Games marks a significant milestone for the country's para-sports movement. With 114 medals, including 30 gold, the Indian contingent not only improved its previous record but also demonstrated its growing strength across different sporting disciplines.
The performances of athletes in athletics, badminton, archery and shooting made this campaign particularly memorable. India's record-breaking medal haul has set a new benchmark and raised expectations for future international competitions.
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