Ayush Verma Wins Shot Put F53 Gold on Asian Para Games Debut

Young Indian thrower Ayush Verma has won the gold medal in the Men's Shot Put F53 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 with an excellent throw, and has finished his first appearance at the continental Games with two medals around his neck. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him on 21 October 2026, calling the double a fine show of talent, versatility and determination.

Two medals in two throwing events

The gold in the shot put was the second medal of the campaign for Verma, who had already taken the bronze in the javelin throw at the same Games. Winning in one event and standing on the podium in another is what the congratulatory message described as versatility: the same athlete handled two different throwing implements well enough to medal in both. For an aspirant the pair of results is the point to note, because questions are often set on how many medals an athlete won at a single edition and in which events.

A debut to remember

These were Verma's first Asian Para Games, which makes the haul more notable: a debutant who returns with a gold and a bronze has made an immediate mark at continental level. The Prime Minister wished him well for the sporting journey ahead, a line that points to the expectation now attached to him in Indian para athletics.

The class and the day's context

The F53 classification covers seated throwers, who compete from a throwing frame because of limited arm and trunk function. Verma's gold came on a day when Indian throwers did particularly well at the Games: the men's shot put in the F46 class also went to India, where Sachin Khilari defended his title. For revision, remember the athlete, the event and class of the gold, the event of the bronze, the total of two medals and the fact that it was his debut edition.