Asian Para Games 2026: Sandeep Singh Maan and Haney Smash World Records to Win Gold

India’s golden run at the 2026 Asian Para Games reached another memorable milestone as Sandeep Singh Maan and Haney produced world-record performances to win gold medals in athletics on Friday, October 23. Their outstanding achievements not only brought individual glory but also helped India cross the coveted 100-medal mark at the continental sporting event in Nagoya, Japan.

Sandeep delivered a sensational performance in the men’s 400m event, clocking 52.28 seconds to claim gold and establish a world record. Soon afterwards, Haney added another record-breaking moment by throwing the javelin 60.49 metres in the men’s F37/38 final.

The two victories highlighted the determination and growing strength of India’s para-athletics contingent. With every medal adding to the country’s campaign, the performances offered another reminder of the talent and competitive spirit driving Indian para-sports forward.

Sandeep Singh Maan Sets World Record in the 400m

Sandeep Singh Maan delivered one of the standout performances of the Asian Para Games 2026, winning the men’s 400m gold in a record time of 52.28 seconds.

Competing at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, Sandeep established an early advantage and maintained his composure as the race approached its final stages. Saudi Arabia’s Nour Alsana finished second in 53.13 seconds, while India’s Ajay Kumar secured bronze with a time of 53.61 seconds, which was also a Games record.

The result gave India a memorable one-two-three-style podium story in terms of two Indian athletes reaching the medals, with Sandeep taking the top spot and Ajay adding another medal to the national tally.

For Sandeep, the gold was particularly significant as he continued a career built through years of training and competition. His performance in Nagoya demonstrated the importance of consistency, race management and determination at the highest level of para-athletics.

The victory also brought India closer to its target of another strong overall medal haul at the Asian Para Games.

Haney Breaks a Long-Standing Javelin World Record

Haney delivered the second major breakthrough of the day with a remarkable throw of 60.49 metres in the men’s javelin F37/38 final.

The Indian para-athlete saved his best effort for the closing stages of the competition, producing a throw that surpassed the previous world record of 57.81 metres, set by China’s Xia Dong in 2008.

His performance earned him the gold medal and 1,116 Raza points. Iran’s Hormoz Seidikazpounji claimed silver with a throw of 50.68 metres, while China’s Yu Chengjie finished third with an Asian-record effort of 53.66 metres. The F37 and F38 classifications compete together in this event, with the final ranking determined by Raza points.

Haney’s achievement was especially impressive because it surpassed a record that had stood for nearly two decades. It also followed his bronze-medal performance in the men’s F37 discus throw earlier in the Games, where he recorded a personal best of 57.04 metres.

By turning his final efforts into a world-record gold, Haney added another major achievement to his growing career and helped make the day unforgettable for the Indian contingent.

India Crosses the 100-Medal Mark at Asian Para Games 2026

The gold medals won by Sandeep and Haney helped India reach a significant milestone: 100 medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games.

The achievement reflected the collective efforts of athletes across multiple disciplines, including para-athletics, para-badminton, para-archery and para-table tennis. India’s medal campaign has featured a combination of established international performers and athletes making their mark on a major continental stage.

The country’s progress is particularly encouraging given the depth of competition at the Games. Reaching 100 medals for a second consecutive edition highlights the growing competitiveness of India’s para-sports programme and the impact of sustained preparation.

India is also seeking to challenge its previous best overall medal tally of 111, achieved at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, which were held in 2023 following a postponement.

With competitions continuing in Nagoya, the Indian contingent has further opportunities to add to its tally and finish the event on a high.

More Indian Athletes Add to the Medal Haul

Sandeep and Haney were not the only Indian athletes to make headlines on the day. Ajay Kumar’s bronze in the men’s 400m added another podium finish, while Indian athletes also secured silver medals in other athletics events.

Nimisha Chakkungalparambil won silver in the women’s long jump T47 with a best effort of 5.37 metres. Parmod Bijarnia added another silver in the men’s 1500m T46 after clocking 4:09.65.

India also enjoyed success in other sports. Para-badminton player Nitesh Kumar won gold in the men’s singles SL3 final, while Naveen Sivakumar claimed the men’s singles SL4 title. In para-archery, Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi won gold in the men’s recurve doubles event.

These results underline how India’s success at the Asian Para Games extends well beyond a handful of individual performances. Athletes across different disciplines have contributed to a campaign marked by resilience, skill and consistent podium finishes.

What Sandeep and Haney’s Achievements Mean for Indian Para-Sports

World-record performances on a major international stage carry significance beyond the medals themselves. They demonstrate what athletes can achieve through years of training, competitive experience and access to the right support systems.

Sandeep’s 52.28-second run and Haney’s 60.49-metre throw also give aspiring para-athletes powerful examples of excellence in track and field. Their performances can help draw more attention to para-athletics, encourage participation and strengthen public interest in disability sport.

For India, the results provide further momentum as the country works to expand its presence in international para-sports. Continued investment in coaching, facilities, athlete development and competitive opportunities will be important to sustaining that progress.

The road ahead will bring new challenges, but the achievements in Nagoya show that Indian para-athletes are capable of competing at the highest level and rewriting records along the way.

A Golden Day for India in Nagoya

The Asian Para Games 2026 will be remembered for several outstanding performances, but Sandeep Singh Maan and Haney’s world-record gold medals stand out as defining moments of India’s campaign.

Sandeep’s record-breaking 400m run and Haney’s extraordinary javelin throw showcased the strength and ambition of Indian para-athletics. Their victories also helped the country cross 100 medals, adding another milestone to an already impressive campaign.

As the competition continues, India will hope to build on this momentum and finish with another record-setting performance. For now, the achievements of Sandeep and Haney have given the nation plenty to celebrate and demonstrated once again the extraordinary potential of its para-athletes.