Aichi-Nagoya, October 20, 2026: India’s Deepthi Jeevanji clinched gold in the women’s 400m T20 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games, clocking 56.36 seconds to set a new Games record.
The 23-year-old athlete from Telangana delivered a commanding performance in the final, finishing more than two seconds ahead of Japan’s Niina Kanno, who secured silver in 58.92 seconds. Japan’s Akane Kato claimed the bronze medal.
Deepthi Breaks Games Record
Deepthi entered the final after setting an Asian Para Games record in the heats with a time of 57.57 seconds.
She improved her performance in the final, lowering the record to 56.36 seconds and securing the gold medal with an impressive display of speed and consistency.
India Secures Fifth Gold Medal
Deepthi’s victory gave India its fifth gold medal at the ongoing Asian Para Games.
Her achievement also marked India’s first gold of the day, adding to the country’s growing medal tally in Aichi-Nagoya.
Deepthi Dominates 400m T20 Final
Jeevanji maintained a strong pace throughout the race and established a clear lead over her competitors.
Her winning time of 56.36 seconds put her comfortably ahead of Kanno, who finished in 58.92 seconds. Kato secured bronze with a time of 1:00.26.
What Is the T20 Classification?
The T20 classification in para-athletics is designated for athletes with intellectual impairments.
Deepthi has established herself as a prominent Indian athlete in the category through her performances at major international competitions.
Back-to-Back Asian Para Games Gold
The victory continued Deepthi’s successful run at the Asian Para Games.
She had also won gold in the women’s 400m T20 event at the previous edition, making her latest triumph another significant milestone in her international career.
Paralympic Medal-Winner Shines Again
Deepthi is also a Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist in the 400m T20 event.
Her latest continental gold and record-breaking performance further strengthen her standing among India’s leading para-athletes.
India Continues Strong Asian Para Games Campaign
India has collected medals across multiple disciplines during the 2026 Asian Para Games, including para-athletics, shooting and table tennis.
Deepthi’s record-breaking victory has added further momentum to the Indian contingent’s campaign as competition continues across events.
Another Encouraging Day for Indian Para Sport
Deepthi’s gold was among the notable performances reported from the Indian camp in Aichi-Nagoya.
Para table tennis player Bhavina Patel also secured bronze, while Indian athletes continued competing in para-badminton and archery events.
Deepthi Adds Another Major Title
With a new Games record and another Asian Para Games gold, Deepthi Jeevanji has added a major achievement to her sporting career.
Her 56.36-second performance stands out as a significant result for India’s para-athletics campaign and highlights the achievements of Indian athletes on the international stage.
Source: Akashvani News, PTI, The Indian Express, India Today
Supreme News Network
