- Raj recorded a best throw of 15.66 metres to top the women’s F54 discus event.
- The Indian para-archer lost 4-6 to China’s Mengkan Cen in the women’s W1 individual final.
- The performances strengthened India’s campaign.
India’s para-athletes added another gold and silver to their medal tally at the Asian Para Games 2026 on Thursday, as Suvarna Raj clinched the women’s F54 discus throw title while archer Swati Chaudhary finished runner-up in the women’s W1 individual recurve event.
The 44-year-old Suvarna secured gold with a best throw of 15.66 metres, finishing ahead of Iran’s Shahla Hadidi and Vietnam’s Thi Ngoc Thuy Nguyen. Meanwhile, top-seeded Swati narrowly missed out on the archery title after losing 4-6 to China’s Cen Mengkan in a closely contested final.
While Suvarna delivered a consistent performance to reach the top of the podium, Swati’s silver medal marked a historic achievement for India in the W1 category at the continental para-sport event.
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Suvarna Raj Wins Gold With 15.66m Throw
Suvarna produced a strong performance in the women’s F54 discus throw, recording four throws beyond the 15-metre mark across her six attempts. Her gold-medal-winning effort of 15.66m came in the fifth round.
Warmest congratulations to Suvarna Raj for winning the Gold Medal in the Women’s Discus Throw at the Asian Para Games 2026. This is a historic achievement made possible by your exceptional capabilities. May your success inspire many more athletes to aim higher and believe in their potential.
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 22, 2026
Iran’s Shahla Hadidi claimed silver with 15.45m, while Vietnam’s Thi Ngoc Thuy Nguyen took bronze with 14.65m.
The wheelchair-using athlete from Greater Noida has represented India at three Asian Para Games and several international competitions. Coached by Pintu Nagar, she took up para-athletics in 2017 and has since established herself among Asia’s leading competitors in the F54 discus throw.
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Earlier in 2026, Suvarna won bronze in the F54/55 discus throw at the Dubai World Para Athletics Grand Prix. She also secured gold in discus throw and silver in shot put at the Canberra Track Meet in Australia in January.
Beyond sport, Suvarna works as an accessibility specialist and disability rights advocate. She has conducted more than 1,000 accessibility audits across India and served as the Election Commission of India’s brand ambassador for accessible elections.
Swati Chaudhary Makes History Despite Archery Silver
Swati Chaudhary settled for silver after losing 4-6 to China’s Cen Mengkan in the women’s W1 individual recurve final. Despite taking a 4-2 lead, the Indian archer was unable to close out the contest as her opponent produced a strong finish.
Swati won the opening set 25-17 before Cen edged the second 22-21 to level the match. The Indian regained the advantage by taking the third set 22-21, moving within one set of gold.
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However, Cen turned the contest around in the fourth set with a perfect series of three 10s, scoring 30 points to Swati’s 20. The match was level at 4-4 heading into the deciding set.
The Chinese archer maintained her accuracy in the final set, scoring 28 against Swati’s 21 to complete the comeback and secure gold.
Swati, who won bronze at the World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad last month, made history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the W1 archery category at the Asian Para Games.