Nagoya, Japan: India celebrated two strong performances at the Asian Para Games 2026 on Thursday, with Suvarna Raj winning gold in the women’s F54 discus throw and debutant Swati Chaudhary securing a medal in the women’s W1 individual archery event.
Suvarna claimed the top spot with a best throw of 15.66 metres. She remained consistent throughout the competition, recording five throws beyond the 15-metre mark in her six attempts. Her winning distance came on her fifth attempt.
Iran’s Shahla Hadidi finished second with a throw of 15.45 metres, while Vietnam’s Thi Ngoc Thuy Nguyen took bronze with 14.65 metres.
Suvarna Adds Another Achievement to Her Career
Suvarna has been competing since 2017 and has represented India at three Asian Para Games, along with several international events. Her latest performance adds another major achievement to a career built on regular training and perseverance. She is currently ranked second in Asia in the F54 discus throw category.
The F54 classification is for seated throwing athletes with impairments affecting trunk and lower-limb function.
Away from competition, Suvarna works as an accessibility specialist and advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities. She has carried out more than 1,000 accessibility audits across India and has also served as the Election Commission of India’s Brand Ambassador for accessible elections.
Swati Chaudhary Wins Medal on Asian Para Games Debut
Swati Chaudhary also made her mark by winning India’s first-ever medal in the women’s W1 individual archery event at the Asian Para Games.
The debutant put up a determined fight in the final but lost 4-6 to China’s Mengkan Cen, finishing with the silver medal.
The W1 category is designed for archers with impairments affecting all four limbs. Competing at the international level in this technically demanding event requires considerable skill and control.
Swati has continued to deliver strong performances despite limited financial support for major international trials. Her medal-winning performance on her Asian Para Games debut marks an important moment for Indian para archery.
Suvarna’s gold and Swati’s achievement have added to India’s medal tally in Nagoya, highlighting the performances of athletes who continue to compete at the highest level despite significant challenges.