Asian Para Games 2026: India's 168-Member Squad, Schedule, First Medals and Where to Watch, Explained
India has sent 168 athletes across 11 sports to the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, running from 18 to 24 October. Mona Agarwal won India's first gold with an Asian Para Games record in shooting, with Avani Lekhara taking silver. Here is the squad by sport, key athletes, the dates and what to watch.
India's para athletes are in action at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 24 October. India has sent its 168-athlete squad across 11 sports, and the medal account opened on day two with a gold and silver in shooting.
The 60-second version
- Dates: 18 to 24 October 2026.
- Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (main venue: Paloma Mizuho Stadium).
- India's squad: 168 athletes (112 men, 56 women) in 11 sports, part of a 281-member contingent.
- First gold: Mona Agarwal, women's 10m air rifle standing SH1, with an Asian Para Games record of 250.0.
- Silver: Avani Lekhara, same event, 249.6.
- Flag bearers: Pramod Bhagat and Simran Sharma.
India's first medals: a shooting one-two
On Monday, 19 October, Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara finished first and second in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 at the shooting venue in Toyota, Aichi.
- Mona Agarwal led qualification with 629.1, a new Asian Para Games qualification record, and won the final with 250.0, also a Games record.
- Avani Lekhara, India's two-time Paralympic champion in this event, took silver with 249.6, just 0.4 behind.
- South Korea's Lee Yunri won bronze with 227.9.
The two have met in big finals before: at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Lekhara won gold and Agarwal bronze in the same event.
India's squad, sport by sport
| Sport | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 46 | 16 | 62 |
| Badminton | 17 | 11 | 28 |
| Swimming | 14 | 2 | 16 |
| Shooting | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| Archery | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| Football 5-a-side | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| Table tennis | 4 | 6 | 10 |
| Powerlifting | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Judo | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Boccia | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Cycling | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 112 | 56 | 168 |
Athletes to watch
- Sumit Antil (athletics): defending his Asian Para Games title in the men's javelin F64.
- Avani Lekhara and Mona Agarwal (shooting): already on the podium, with more rifle events to come.
- Sheetal Devi (archery): the armless archer is among India's biggest draws in compound archery.
- Pramod Bhagat (badminton): flag bearer and one of India's most decorated para shuttlers.
- Bhavina Patel (table tennis): Tokyo 2020 Paralympic silver medallist.
What India is aiming for
At the previous Games in Hangzhou (Hangzhou 2022, held in 2023), para athletics alone gave India 55 medals, including 18 gold. Athletics, with 62 athletes, is again India's biggest squad and is expected to drive the medal tally, with shooting, archery and badminton also strong.
Key dates
| Date | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Sun, 18 Oct | Opening ceremony |
| Mon, 19 Oct | Shooting medals begin; India opens its tally |
| 19 to 24 Oct | Athletics, badminton, archery, swimming, table tennis and more |
| Sat, 24 Oct | Final day and closing ceremony |
Japan is 3 hours 30 minutes ahead of India, so morning sessions in Japan start very early in India, and Japan's afternoon finals fall in the late morning or early afternoon IST.
Where to watch
Check Olympics.com and the Paralympic Committee of India's social media for broadcast and live-stream details in India, and follow the official Games website for live results and the medal table.
Sources: Newsonair, Wikipedia (India at the 2026 Asian Para Games), The Bridge, Olympics.com and IANS reports of 19 October 2026. The medal tally is changing daily; this article will be updated.
Frequently asked questions
›When and where are the 2026 Asian Para Games?
In Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 24 October 2026. The main venue is Paloma Mizuho Stadium.
›How many athletes has India sent?
168 athletes (112 men and 56 women) in 11 sports, as part of a 281-member contingent including 113 officials and support staff. Para athletics is the biggest squad with 62 athletes.
›Who won India's first medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Shooters Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara, on 19 October 2026, in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1. Agarwal won gold with an Asian Para Games record score of 250.0 in the final, and Lekhara took silver with 249.6.
›Who were India's flag bearers?
Para badminton player Pramod Bhagat and sprinter Simran Sharma were reported as India's flag bearers at the opening ceremony.
›How did India do at the last Asian Para Games?
At Hangzhou 2022 (held in 2023), para athletics alone gave India 55 medals, including 18 gold. India is again counting on athletics, shooting, archery and badminton for most of its medals.