India Surpasses 100-Medal Mark as Sandeep and Haney Set World Records for Gold

Asian Para Games 2026: Sandeep Singh Maan and Haney Create World Records as India Surpasses 100 Medals

India achieved a major milestone at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Nagoya on Friday, October 23, crossing the 100-medal mark after Sandeep Singh Maan and Haney clinched gold medals with world-record performances in athletics.

Sandeep delivered a remarkable performance in the men’s 400m, while Haney produced a massive 60.49m throw to win the men’s F37/38 javelin event. The two record-breaking victories strengthened India’s medal tally and brought the contingent closer to its best-ever gold medal performance at the continental competition.

SANDEEP CLAIMS 400M GOLD WITH RECORD-BREAKING RUN
Sandeep Singh Maan dominated the men’s 400m race at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, clocking 52.28 seconds to secure the gold medal. Competing in a combined field featuring athletes from the T44, T42 and T64 classifications, the Indian took an early lead and maintained his advantage despite a late challenge from Saudi Arabia’s Alsana Noor.

His winning time improved his personal best by more than a second and contributed to India’s achievement of crossing the 100-medal threshold.

The victory also took India’s gold medal count to 25, leaving the country just two short of its record haul of 27 gold medals at the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou.

India celebrated another podium finish in the event as Ajay Kumar secured bronze with a time of 53.61 seconds.

HANEY BREAKS WORLD RECORD THAT STOOD SINCE 2008
Haney continued India’s golden run by winning the men’s javelin F37/38 competition with a spectacular world-record throw of 60.49 metres.

The Indian athlete delivered his best performances in the closing stages, registering throws of 59.72m and 60.49m in his final two attempts. His winning distance comfortably surpassed the previous world record of 57.81m, established by China’s Xia Dong in 2008.

The achievement brought an end to a record that had stood for more than 17 years and gave India another world-record gold medal on the same day.

Haney’s performance was particularly significant as he successfully defended the gold medal he had won in the same event at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

WHO IS SANDEEP SINGH MAAN?
Sandeep Singh Maan, born on July 16, 1993, in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, is an accomplished Indian para-athlete known for competing in sprint events and the long jump.

Born with a structural impairment in his left hand that limits its range of motion, Sandeep pursued athletics and developed his abilities under national coach Satyapal Singh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.

Over the years, he has established a strong record in national and international para-athletics competitions. He won silver medals at the Asian Para Games in Guangzhou in 2010 and Incheon in 2014, before adding a bronze medal at the 2018 edition in Jakarta.

Sandeep also won gold at the IWAS World Games in 2009 and 2011. His sporting achievements have earned him several honours, including the Arjuna Award, the Maharana Pratap Award and the Aravali Award.

His latest gold medal in Nagoya adds another notable achievement to his career and reinforces his contribution to India’s para-athletics success.

HANEY’S JOURNEY TO INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
Haney, who hails from Haryana, is an Indian para-athlete specialising in throwing events, particularly the javelin and discus. He competes in the F37 classification, which covers athletes with certain coordination and movement impairments.

He trains under coach Sunil Phogat at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Rohtak and progressed through domestic competitions before establishing himself in India’s senior para-athletics team.

Haney previously won gold in the men’s javelin F37/38 event at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. He has also competed in the discus, finishing fourth at the World Para Athletics Championships.

His latest achievement in Nagoya marks another major step in his career. By throwing 60.49m, Haney broke a long-standing world record while retaining his continental title.

INDIA EYES ANOTHER RECORD AT THE ASIAN PARA GAMES
The achievements of Sandeep Singh Maan and Haney have provided a significant boost to India’s campaign at the 2026 Asian Para Games. Their world-record performances helped the country cross the 100-medal mark and strengthened its position in the competition.

With 25 gold medals secured, India is now within reach of surpassing its previous best of 27 golds, achieved at the Hangzhou edition.

The twin victories in athletics underline the determination and growing competitiveness of Indian para-athletes as the country continues its pursuit of a historic medal haul in Nagoya.