India wins record five bronze medals in best para table tennis show at Asian Para Games
Groundbreaking performances in the standing categories cap off India's finest campaign in adaptive table tennis at Aichi-Nagoya.
Record haul at Asian Para Games
India's para athletes delivered their finest performance in table tennis at the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, securing five bronze medals and establishing a new benchmark for the nation in adaptive sports.
The five-medal tally comfortably surpasses India's previous best of two bronze medals set at the last edition of the Games. The campaign was highlighted by breakthrough successes in both the standing and wheelchair events, reflecting the expanding depth and international competitiveness of Indian sports infrastructure.
Breakout success in standing events
Tamil Nadu's Ravi Baby Sahana and Prachi Pandey scripted history by becoming the first Indian players to win medals in the standing category at the Asian Para Games.
Sahana reached the semifinals in the Class 9 event before falling 8-11, 2-11, 4-11 against China's five-time Paralympic gold medallist Mao Jingdian. Class 9 accommodates standing athletes with physical impairments affecting their legs or playing arm.
Prachi, who competes with a neurodegenerative condition, secured bronze in the Class 6 last-four encounter after a hard-fought 9-11, 2-11, 8-11 match against Iraq's reigning Paralympic champion Najlah Al-Dayyeni. Class 6 is designated for athletes with severe impairments affecting both arms and legs.
Podiums in wheelchair events
Paralympic silver medallist Bhavina Patel added another milestone to her international career by earning bronze in the women's singles Class 4-5 category. Patel, who won a doubles silver at the 2018 Games, lost 7-11, 5-11, 7-11 to eight-time Paralympic champion Zhang Bian of China in the semifinals.
In Class 3, Sonalben Patel secured bronze following a 7-11, 5-11, 6-11 defeat against defending champion Jiyu Yoon of South Korea. Meanwhile, Jehan Madan claimed bronze in the men's singles Class 1 event after finishing fourth in a five-player pool, securing a victory in one of his four matches.
Breakdown of India's medal performance
| Player | Category | Event | Final Match / Placement | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ravi Baby Sahana | Standing (Class 9) | Women's singles | Lost 8-11, 2-11, 4-11 to Mao Jingdian (China) | Bronze |
| Prachi Pandey | Standing (Class 6) | Women's singles | Lost 9-11, 2-11, 8-11 to Najlah Al-Dayyeni (Iraq) | Bronze |
| Bhavina Patel | Wheelchair (Class 4-5) | Women's singles | Lost 7-11, 5-11, 7-11 to Zhang Bian (China) | Bronze |
| Sonalben Patel | Wheelchair (Class 3) | Women's singles | Lost 7-11, 5-11, 6-11 to Jiyu Yoon (South Korea) | Bronze |
| Jehan Madan | Wheelchair (Class 1) | Men's singles | Finished 4th in 5-player round-robin (1 win) | Bronze |
The record-breaking performance underlines India's steadily rising stature in global adaptive sports, supported by strategic training programs and dedicated national initiatives for para athletes.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total medals won | 5 bronze medals | Asian Para Games match records |
| Previous best medal count | 2 bronze medals | Asian Para Games historical records |
| Class 9 semifinal score | Sahana lost 8-11, 2-11, 4-11 to Mao Jingdian | Asian Para Games official results |
| Class 6 semifinal score | Prachi Pandey lost 9-11, 2-11, 8-11 to Najlah Al-Dayyeni | Asian Para Games official results |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Bhavina Patel | Paralympic medallist who secured bronze in Class 4-5 wheelchair event. |
| Ravi Baby Sahana | Indian para table tennis player who won bronze in Class 9 standing category. |
| Asian Para Games | Continental multi-sport event held in Aichi-Nagoya. |
| Aichi-Nagoya | Host location of the Asian Para Games. |
| Jehan Madan | Indian para table tennis player who secured bronze in Class 1 men's event. |
| Prachi Pandey | Indian para table tennis player who won bronze in Class 6 standing category. |
| Sonalben Patel | Indian para table tennis player who secured bronze in Class 3 wheelchair event. |
