New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met and interacted with members of the Indian contingent that participated in the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan, congratulating the para-athletes for their historic performance and record medal haul of 114 medals, IANS reported.

Source: IANS Live

The interaction was held at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in New Delhi, where Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also joined the Prime Minister in meeting the athletes. The meeting followed the Prime Minister's Office announcement, reported by Awaaz Punjab earlier, that Modi would interact with the contingent on Thursday.

Source: DevDiscourse

Modi told the athletes that their struggles and achievements have become an inspiration for the entire country, and highlighted India's rise in para sports — from 14 medals in 2010 to 114 at these Games, according to reports of the interaction.

Shoes and a shot put for the Prime Minister

During the interaction, sprinter Simran Sharma, who won gold medals in the women's 100m and 200m T12 events and set Games records in both, presented a pair of shoes to the Prime Minister as a memento. Shot putter Sachin Sarjerao, who clinched gold in the F45/46 category, also presented a shot put ball to Modi, IANS reported. The interaction brought together athletes, coaches, support staff and officials from sports federations and the Sports Ministry.

114total medals — India's best ever
30gold medals
35silver medals
49bronze medals

India concluded its campaign at Aichi-Nagoya with 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals, with 97 Indian para-athletes winning medals — surpassing the country's previous best of 108 medals, including 27 gold, at the 2023 edition in Hangzhou, China.

Among the standout performers, javelin thrower Sumit Antil defended his gold medal in the men's F42-44/61-64 category as part of an Indian podium sweep, and Nitesh Kumar defeated compatriot and reigning world champion Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 in the men's singles SL3 badminton final to clinch gold. At 50, Jehan Dorab Madan became India's oldest medallist at the Games after securing bronze in para-table tennis.