Asian Para Games: Ayush Verma wins shot put gold, Praveen Kumar takes high jump gold

Indian athletes continued to perform well at the Asian Para Games 2026. The third day of the Games, October 21, was also a special one for India, with Ayush Verma and Praveen Kumar winning gold medals for the country.

Ayush won gold in the men's shot put F53 event, taking India's gold medal count to 10. Praveen Kumar won gold in the men's high jump T44/64 event and also set a new record at the Para Games. Bunty won silver in the same event, giving India two medals in a single event.

Ayush Verma was behind at the start, but made his best throw in the fifth attempt and turned the contest around. His first throw measured 7.39 metres. He managed 7.42 metres in the second and 7.50 metres in the third. The fourth attempt went 7.92 metres. The fifth throw, 8.16 metres, was his best, and it won him the gold.

Iran's Alireza Hemami won silver in the same event with a throw of 8.09 metres. Kazakhstan's Makhambet Serikaliyev finished third with a throw of 6.81 metres. Ayush now has two medals at the Asian Para Games 2026. He had earlier won a bronze in the javelin throw F53/54 event.

After Ayush, Praveen Kumar also took gold. He cleared 2.05 metres in the men's T44/64 high jump. India's Bunty cleared 1.92 metres to win silver and finish second. Uzbekistan's Temurbek Giyazov finished third with a jump of 1.86 metres.

Praveen did not just win the gold medal, he also set a world record. He set the record for the highest jump in the men's high jump T64 event at these Games.

India also dominated the shot put F46 event, winning all three medals: gold, silver and bronze. Sachin Khilari won gold with a final throw of 15.87 metres. Mohammad Yasar took silver, while Parveen won bronze with a throw of 14.94 metres.

India will now also compete in para swimming, athletics, powerlifting and cycling.