{
  "id": 16378563,
  "title": "'You have shown us what hard work can achieve': Shikhar Dhawan lauds Indian para-athletes after record 114-medal haul",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/you-have-shown-us-what-hard-work-can-achieve-shikhar-dhawan-lauds",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-24T22:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/shown-us-hard-achieve-shikhar-221600944.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former India cricket opener Shikhar Dhawan expressed his admiration for the country's para-athletes following their historic performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Indian team achieved a record 114 medals, including 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze, setting a new benchmark for the continental event. This was the team's best-ever finish in the Games, surpassing their previous best of 108 medals from the 2022 edition in Hangzhou. Dhawan celebrated the athletes' success on social media, stating: \"A record 114 medals and India’s best-ever fourth-place finish at the Asian Para Games! 🇮🇳 Congratulations to our para-athletes on a phenomenal campaign. You have shown us what dedication, belief and hard work can achieve. Champions! 🙌\" It's worth noting that India's para-team comprised 168 athletes, a smaller number compared to the 309-strong contingent that participated in Hangzhou three years ago. Despite the reduced team size, the Indian athletes delivered outstanding performances across various sports like para-athletics, para-badminton, para-archery, para-shooting, table tennis and swimming. The 2026 tally improved upon India's previous best at the 2022 Games, where the country initially won 111 medals but had three revoked due to doping violations, leaving a final total of 108 medals. At the closing ceremony, Mona Agarwal, a double gold medallist para-shooter, and high-jumper Nishad Kumar represented India as co-flag-bearers, underscoring the nation's remarkable campaign.",
  "summary": "In a groundbreaking achievement, India's para-athletes clinched a historic 114 medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games with just 168 participants. Their impressive haul comprised 30 gold, 35 silver, and 49 bronze medals, shattering their former record of 108 medals. Co-flag-bearers Mona Agarwal and Nishad Kumar proudly represented the nation at the closing ceremony, exemplifying the remarkable…",
  "key_points": [
    "Shikhar Dhawan praises Indian para-athletes' historic 114-medal haul at Asian Para Games 2026.",
    "India's para-team of 168 athletes achieved best-ever fourth-place finish in the continental event."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}