India crossed the 100-medal mark at the Asian Para Games 2026 after Sandeep Singh Maan and Haney produced world-record performances to win gold medals in athletics in Nagoya on Friday, October 23.

Sandeep, competing in the men's 400m event, delivered a sensational performance at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium to win gold and set a world record. Moments later, Indian javelin thrower Haney added another world record to the tally, winning the men's F37/38 event with a throw of 60.49m.

Sandeep, competing in a combined men's 400m event featuring athletes from the T44, T42 and T64 classifications, led the race from the start and held his advantage despite a late surge from Saudi Arabia's Alsana Noor. He clocked 52.28 seconds to claim gold, bettering his personal best by more than a second and helping India cross the 100-medal milestone.

The victory also gave India its 25th gold medal at the competition, taking the country to within two of its best-ever gold medal haul of 27, achieved at the previous edition in Hangzhou.

Sandeep was not the only Indian medallist in the event. Ajay Kumar, running in Lane 5, won bronze with a time of 53.61 seconds, adding another medal to India's tally.

HANEY SMASHES LONGSTANDING WORLD RECORD

Haney followed Sandeep's gold with a record-breaking performance in the men's javelin F37/38 event. The Indian thrower saved his best for his final two attempts, registering throws of 59.72m and 60.49m to leave the field behind.

His winning distance shattered the longstanding world record of 57.81m, set by China's Xia Dong in 2008. Haney's 60.49m effort marked a significant milestone in his career and gave India a second world-record gold in quick succession.

WHO IS SANDEEP SINGH MAAN?

Sandeep Singh Maan, born on July 16, 1993, is an international para-athlete from Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. He was born with a structural impairment in his left hand that limits its range of motion. Competing in para-athletics, he has built a career across sprint events, including the 100m, 200m and 400m, as well as the long jump.

Sandeep developed his running skills under national athletics coach Satyapal Singh at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Through years of training and competition, he established himself on the domestic and international circuits, becoming a national record holder and one of India's experienced para-athletes.

His career has included several major international medals. Sandeep won silver at the Asian Para Games in Guangzhou in 2010 and repeated the achievement at the 2014 edition in Incheon. He added a bronze medal at the 2018 Games in Jakarta, continuing his presence on the continental podium.

Sandeep also enjoyed success at the IWAS World Games, winning gold medals in 2009 and 2011. His achievements have been recognised with the Arjuna Award, one of India's highest sporting honours, as well as the Maharana Pratap Award and the Aravali Award.

HANEY DEFENDS GOLD MEDAL

Haney is an Indian para-athlete from Haryana who specialises in throwing events, particularly the javelin and discus. He competes in the F37 classification, which covers athletes with coordination and movement impairments associated with conditions such as hypertonia, ataxia or athetosis.

He trains under coach Sunil Phogat at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Rohtak. Haney emerged as a promising young thrower on the domestic circuit before establishing himself in India's senior para-athletics contingent.

Haney had already made his mark at the Asian Para Games, winning gold in the men's javelin F37/38 event at the Hangzhou edition. He has also competed in the discus, finishing fourth at the World Para Athletics Championships.

His world-record throw in Nagoya adds another major achievement to his career. The 60.49m effort, which eclipsed Xia Dong's record that had stood since 2008, also helped India reach a significant milestone in its medal campaign at the Asian Para Games.

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