Asian Para Games 2026: India’s Full Squad, Sport-Wise Athlete List, And Top Medal Hopes

The Asian Para Games 2026 will take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 24. India will field 168 athletes across 11 sports, following the addition of boccia to the approved squad. The Indian team comprises 112 men and 56 women. Check the full list of squad below. 

India’s squad features several established names, including javelin thrower Sumit Antil, compound archer Sheetal Devi, rifle shooter Avani Lekhara and para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat. Other notable athletes include para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel, badminton player Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, high jumper Nishad Kumar and sprinter Preeti Pal.

The team will be looking to build on its historic performance at the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou in 2023, where India won 111 medals, including 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze. That was the country’s best-ever medal tally at the event. 

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Asian Para Games 2026: India’s Contingent at a Glance

• Host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan

• Dates: October 18–24, 2026

• Indian athletes: 168

• Male athletes: 112

• Female athletes: 56

• Sports represented by India: 11

• Total Indian delegation: 281 members, including 168 athletes, team officials, support staff and contingent staff

• Chef de Mission: Rahul Swami

• Flag-bearers: Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel

The event is expected to bring together around 3,000 athletes representing 45 National Paralympic Committees across Asia. The Games programme features 18 para sports. 

India’s Athlete Count: Sport-Wise Breakdown

Para athletics accounts for more than a third of India’s athletes, making it the biggest component of the squad. Para badminton is the next-largest group, while swimming and shooting also have sizeable contingents. 

Indian Athletes to Watch at the Asian Para Games 2026

Sumit Antil — Para Athletics

Sumit Antil is one of India’s leading medal prospects. The Paralympic champion competes in the men’s javelin throw F64 category and will aim to defend his Asian Para Games title.

Avani Lekhara — Para Shooting

Avani Lekhara is among India’s most accomplished para shooters. The Paralympic champion is entered in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 and 50m rifle three positions SH1 events.

Sheetal Devi — Para Archery

Sheetal Devi will represent India in the women’s compound events, including the individual and doubles competitions. Her presence adds considerable interest to India’s archery campaign.

Pramod Bhagat — Para Badminton

Pramod Bhagat, a Paralympic gold medallist, is entered in men’s singles SL3, men’s doubles SL3-SU5 and mixed doubles SL3-SU5. He will also serve as one of India’s flag-bearers at the opening ceremony.

Bhavina Patel — Para Table Tennis

Bhavina Patel, who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics, will compete in women’s singles Class 4-5, women’s doubles WD5 and mixed doubles XD7. She will share flag-bearing duties with Bhagat.

Other Notable Names

India’s squad also features para-badminton champions Suhas Lalinakere, Yathiraj, Nitesh Kumar, Manasi Joshi and Thulasimathi Murugesan; para shooter Manish Narwal; high jumper Nishad Kumar; and sprinter Preeti Pal. Their performances will be among the key stories to follow during the competition.

Asian Para Games 2026: Full Indian Athlete List, Sport by Sport

The following roster is organised by discipline. Event categories are included where specified in the supplied squad list.

1. Blind Football — 10 Athletes

• Boje Marbom

• Klingson Marak

• Pradeep Patel

• Sahil

• Shivam Singh

• Sovendra Singh

• Tushar Kumar

• Vishnubhatejuba Vaghela

• Aditya Sajwan

• Sujith Puthankattunikarath Sasi

All 10 are listed for the men’s blind football competition. Aditya Sajwan and Sujith Puthankattunikarath Sasi are the goalkeepers.

2. Boccia — 2 Athletes

• Sachin Chamaria: Men’s individual BC3; mixed pairs BC3

• Anjali Devi: Women’s individual BC3; mixed pairs BC3

Boccia is included in India’s final 11-sport contingent following an addition to the approved squad.

3. Para Archery — 11 Athletes