Para Asian Games 2026: Nishad Kumar’s double gold, record-breaking high jump and emotional homecoming

What does it feel like to hear the national anthem play not once, but twice, after winning gold for your country? For Indian para-athlete Nishad Kumar, the answer was difficult to put into words. Returning to India on Monday, October 26, after a memorable campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026, the high-jump specialist described his double-gold achievement as a “dream come true”.

Nishad won gold in the men’s T47 long jump with a best effort of 7.11 metres, despite making his international debut in the discipline. He followed it up with another gold in the men’s T47 high jump, clearing 2.04 metres to set a new Games record in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. His performances earned him a place among a select group of Indian athletes to win two gold medals at a single edition of the Asian Para Games.

Nishad Kumar joins an elite group of Indian double-gold winners

Speaking to ANI after arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Nishad said he was delighted to discover the significance of his achievement. "Every athlete's dream is of winning a medal in an event, and I have won two medals at these Games. In one of my interviews, I learned that I am only the third Indian to win two gold medals at a single edition of the Games—it brings me immense joy to see this and to have won these medals," Nishad shared.

Before this edition, para-athlete Ankur Dhama and armless archer Sheetal Devi had won two gold medals each at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. Nishad’s double triumph added his name to that list. Para-shooter Mona Agarwal also won two gold medals at the 2026 Games. Nishad and Mona were chosen as India’s flag-bearers for the closing ceremony.

‘It truly felt like a dream come true’

For Nishad, the medals were about more than the numbers on the scoreboard. The moment the Indian national anthem played on the podium brought an emotional rush that he said was almost impossible to describe. "It truly felt like a dream come true. I was left speechless; I couldn't even find the words to express what I was feeling—it was just an overwhelming sense that, 'Wow, it's actually happened!' I couldn't even begin to describe that feeling," he said.

The 27-year-old has already established himself among India’s leading para-athletes, having won silver medals in the men’s T47 high jump at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. His latest campaign demonstrated his ability to compete beyond his specialist event, with the long-jump gold marking a particularly significant milestone.

Looking ahead, Nishad said the immediate priority was the World Championships before he turned his attention to longer-term targets. "Well, there are still two years to go, so we will start preparing for that. Before that, there is the World Championship, so our immediate focus will be on performing well there," he added.

Navdeep Singh celebrates bronze and fans’ support

Nishad was not the only Indian para-athlete to return with a medal and a message of gratitude. Javelin thrower Navdeep Singh won bronze in the men’s F40/F41 event, improving on his fourth-place finish at the previous edition. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on the achievement on October 23.

Speaking to ANI after arriving at IGI Airport, Navdeep said he hoped to keep bringing joy to the country through his performances. “I’ve won a medal for the country. I am truly happy, and I hope to experience this joy every single year, and to bring this same joy to the nation every year as well. I am incredibly excited! I’m curious to see what new nickname PM Modi might come up with for me this time, and how he will welcome us. I am truly very happy,” Navdeep Singh shared.

He added that the affection shown by fans would encourage India’s para-athletes to aim for more podium finishes.

“This outpouring of love and affection only motivates all of us further to bring home more medals in the future; I am deeply touched by all this love,” Navdeep said.

(With inputs from ANI)