The Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, today met and felicitated the Indian contingent for delivering an outstanding performance at the Bangkok 2026 World Archery Para Series held from March 30 to April 4, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand.

Congratulating the athletes, the Minister lauded the contingent for not only topping the medal tally but also securing double the number of medals compared to the second-placed country. He remarked, “I congratulate you for not just topping the medal tally but also for winning double the number of medals than the second country.”

Emphasising the collective nature of sporting success, Dr. Mandaviya stated that victory in international competitions reflects the pride of the entire nation, noting that when athletes win, it is the country that wins and every Indian shares in that pride.

The tournament witnessed participation from 21 countries and 113 athletes, with strong representation from Asian and Pan-American regions. India emerged as the top-performing nation, finishing first on the medal table with a total of 13 medals, including 7 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze. Indonesia secured the second position with 6 medals, followed by Thailand with 5.

Highlighting the broader significance of the achievement, the Minister said, “You represent the spirit of New India, and what you accomplish today will define the sporting history of tomorrow.”He further underlined that such performances would raise expectations for upcoming international events, including the Asian Games, urging athletes to continue striving for excellence.

The Indian contingent, comprising 39 members (21 athletes, 5 coaches, 3 support staff, and 10 escorts), delivered a dominant performance across categories. Participation and the preparatory camp for the event were supported under the ACTC through the ANSF Scheme, with expenditures of ₹1.04 crore and ₹20.51 lakh respectively.

Key Highlights of India’s Medal-Winning Performances:

 

* Toman Kumar (TOPS Athlete): 3 Gold (Compound Men Open, Mixed Team, Men Team)

* Sheetal Devi (TOPS Athlete): 2 Gold (Mixed Team, Women Team), 1 Silver (Women Open)

* Payal Nag: 2 Gold (Women Open, Women Team)

* Harvinder Singh (Padma Shri, TOPS Athlete): 1 Gold (Men Team), 1 Silver (Men Open)

* Shyam Sunder Swami (TOPS Athlete): 1 Gold (Men Team), 1 Bronze (Men Open)

* Bhawna (NCoE Athlete): 1 Gold (Women Open), 2 Bronze (Mixed Team, Women Team)

* Swati Chaudhary: 1 Silver (W1 Women)

* Rajshri Dhanraj Rathod: 1 Bronze (Women Team)

* Vijay Sundi: 1 Gold (Men Team), 1 Bronze (Mixed Team)

 

Sharing their experiences, athletes and coaches highlighted both the competitive spirit and the pride of representing India on the global stage. Payal Nag, the world’s first quadruple amputee para archer, emerged as a standout performer with a gold medal in her category.

Sheetal Devi expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, stating that she was happy with the overall management of the contingent and proud that India topped the medal tally. She also reflected on the emotional moments during the event, noting that witnessing the Indian tricolour being unfurled and hearing the national anthem multiple times amplified the pride of victory.

Coach Abhilasha Chaudhary observed that India emerged as a dominant force not only in terms of medal tally but also in overall presence, adding that the country is increasingly being recognised as a global power across multiple spheres, including sports.

Shyam Sunder Swami noted that India’s strong reputation preceded its participation, with competing nations closely observing the categories in which Indian athletes were competing, anticipating tough competition.

The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to supporting para-athletes through structured funding, world-class training, and international exposure. He emphasised that with rising expectations at upcoming events, athletes must continue to work hard and keep excelling.

The felicitation ceremony was also attended by senior officials from the Archery Association of India, including Secretary General Virendra Sachdeva and Gautam Abrol.

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Ayushman Kumar

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