India had a brilliant day on the track at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, with Dilip Gavit winning gold in the men's 100m T46/47 combined event. His compatriot Mohammed Morssinganakath Basil came in second place while Pranav Desai and Preeti Pal managed to secure a bronze and a silver, respectively.
Gavit, a 23-year-old T46, posted a stellar 10.69 seconds to finish first. The T47's Mohammed Basil was right on his heels with an astonishing 10.72 seconds to bag the silver with a Games record. China's Kangjun Shi took bronze with 10.80 seconds to complete an exciting sprint final showdown.
Dilip Gavit Adds another gold to his Credentials
Gavit's gold added to his brilliant set of achievements on the international scene. The young sprinter has already claimed the gold in the 400m at the last edition of the Asian Para Games in China and the 100m at the Glasgow Para Commonwealth Games this year.
Basil's silver-medal performance also came with its share of recognition as he equaled the Games record (10.72 seconds) despite leaving the victory within reach.
The T46 and T47 events are for competitors with impairments of the upper limbs. The difference is in the extent of the disability, with athletes with various disabilities competing against each other in combined events to ensure there are enough participants in each race.
Pranav Desai gets a Bronze in the Men's 100m
India's medal haul did not stop there as Pranav Desai managed to get on the podium in the men's 100m T64. Finishing third, the 26-year-old was rewarded with 11.96 seconds.
Japan's Kengo Oshima was the fastest with 11.39 seconds to clinch the gold, with Thailand's Denpoom Kotcharang taking the silver with 11.78 seconds.
The T64 category is for para-athletes with certain physical impairments of the lower limbs who compete either with running or jumping prostheses. They are similar to those with a disability that affects the lower limbs.
Preeti Pal wins her Second Silver of the Games
Preeti Pal was the next Indian competitor to shine as she equaled her own performance and bettered her result from the last edition of the event to finish second in the women's 100m T35. Competing in a field of three, the 26-year-old crossed the line with 13.98 seconds.
The T35 category is for para-athletes with a moderate degree of coordination impairment, including cerebral palsy.
Preeti Pal has had an exciting campaign in Nagoya, having equaled her personal best of finishing in second in the women's 200m T35 event on Tuesday. She also added two bronze medals at the 2024 Paralympics.
With Gavit grabbing gold, Basil with the silver, Desai with the bronze, and Pal getting her second silver, India's athletes have shone in many ways. Their exploits in the sprint events in Nagoya have added another triumphant chapter to India's accomplishments.