Aichi-Nagoya, 20 October (H.S.): Indian para swimmer Himanshu Nandal won the bronze medal in the men’s 400-metre freestyle S11 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games, while the para-archery duo of Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag secured a place in the women’s compound doubles final, assuring India of another medal.

Himanshu finished third in a four-swimmer final with a time of 5 minutes 10.91 seconds. Japan’s Uchu Tomita claimed the silver medal, while China’s Sun Chuanzhen won gold and set a new Asian record in the process.

Himanshu’s bronze is India’s second medal in para swimming at this edition of the Games. India’s Ravi Karthik Budigina finished sixth in the same event, clocking 5 minutes 41.70 seconds. Ravi had earlier won silver in the men’s 100-metre freestyle S13 event.

**Sheetal and Payal One Step Away from Gold**

In the women’s compound doubles semifinal in para archery, Sheetal Devi and Payal Nag defeated Thailand’s Phannipa Srathongmaew and Wasana Khuthawisap 151-135 to advance to the final.

The Indian pair will face China in the gold-medal match scheduled for October 21 at 5:55 a.m. Indian Standard Time. Their semifinal victory has guaranteed India another medal, with Sheetal and Payal now aiming to secure the gold.

**Srishti and Manish Add Medals in Shooting**

Earlier, Indian shooter Srishti Arora won bronze in the women’s 10-metre air pistol SH-1 event, scoring 214.7 points in the final. Iran’s Faezeh Ahmadi claimed gold with 237.3 points, while compatriot Sara Javanmardi secured silver with 237.0 points.

Manish Narwal won silver in the men’s 10-metre air pistol SH-1 event with a score of 233.7 points. South Korea’s Cho Jeong-du took gold with 241.3 points, while China’s Yang Chao secured the bronze medal.

With these performances, India’s medal tally at the Asian Para Games rose to 24, comprising five gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar