Newsletter- Students Corner

Context of the News

Indian para table tennis players Ravi Baby Sahana and Prachi Pandey made history at the 5th Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. They became the first Indian para table tennis players to win medals in the standing category at the Games.

India also secured a record five bronze medals in para table tennis, surpassing its previous tally of two bronze medals in the sport at the 2023 Asian Para Games. This achievement highlights the growing competitiveness of Indian para-athletes and the importance of inclusive sporting opportunities.

Background

The Asian Para Games are a major multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities from across Asia. They are organised under the Asian Paralympic movement and provide a platform for para-athletes to compete at the continental level.

The event promotes sporting excellence, equal participation and greater recognition of athletes with disabilities.

At the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, India recorded its best-ever overall performance at that time, winning 111 medals: 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze.

The 2026 edition offers India another opportunity to strengthen its position in Asian para-sports.

News Breakdown

1. Ravi Baby Sahana and Prachi Pandey Create History

Ravi Baby Sahana and Prachi Pandey achieved a significant milestone by winning bronze medals in women’s singles para table tennis.

Baby Sahana Ravi won bronze in the women’s singles Class 9 event.
Prachi Pandey won bronze in the women’s singles Class 6 event.
Their achievements marked India’s first medals in the standing category of para table tennis at the Asian Para Games.
Both players reached the semifinals, where they faced highly accomplished international opponents.

Sahana lost her semifinal to China’s Mao Jingdian, while Prachi lost to Iraq’s Najlah Al-Dayyeni. Their semifinal finishes secured bronze medals.

This achievement is important because it demonstrates India’s growing participation and success across different para table tennis classifications.

2. India Wins Five Bronze Medals in Para Table Tennis

India secured five bronze medals in para table tennis at the 2026 Games, improving on its previous tally of two bronze medals at the 2023 edition.

The reported medal-winning performances included:

Baby Sahana Ravi: Women’s singles Class 9.
Prachi Pandey: Women’s singles Class 6.
Bhavina Patel: Women’s singles event.
Sonalben Patel: Women’s singles event.
Jehan Madan: Men’s singles Class 1.

This performance reflects India’s growing depth in para table tennis, from established international competitors to athletes making their mark in new classifications.

The achievement also reinforces the importance of sustained coaching, training facilities, competitive exposure and institutional support for para-athletes.

3. Understanding Para Table Tennis Classifications

Para table tennis is an adapted form of table tennis for athletes with eligible impairments. Athletes are classified according to their functional abilities so that competition takes place between players with comparable levels of activity limitation.

The sport has standing and wheelchair classes.

Classification	Broad category
Classes 1–5	Wheelchair athletes
Classes 6–10	Standing athletes
Class 11	Athletes with intellectual impairment

The classification system helps ensure fair competition by considering how an athlete’s impairment affects their ability to perform in the sport.

Why are Classes 6 and 9 important in this news?

Class 6 is a standing class for athletes with more significant physical impairments affecting their playing function.
Class 9 is a standing class for athletes with eligible physical impairments that generally have a lesser functional impact than those in lower-numbered standing classes.

These classifications are sport-specific. They should not be treated as general measures of a person’s disability or overall physical ability.

4. Key Facts About the 5th Asian Para Games 2026

The 5th Asian Para Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 24 October 2026.

Important details include:

Host: Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan.
Dates: 18–24 October 2026.
Edition: Fifth Asian Para Games.
Official slogan: “Imagine One Heart”.
Ceremonial theme: “WABI: We Are Beautiful Individuals”, as stated in the supplied material.
Opening ceremony: Scheduled at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya.
Indian flag-bearers: Para-badminton player Pramod Bhagat and para-athlete Simran Sharma, according to the supplied material.

The slogan “Imagine One Heart” conveys the idea that sport can unite people across nationalities, cultures and abilities. It also reflects the importance of reducing barriers to participation by persons with disabilities.

5. India’s Performance at the 2023 Asian Para Games

The 2023 Asian Para Games were held in Hangzhou, China.

India won 111 medals, comprising 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze medals.

Medal category	Medals won
Gold	29
Silver	31
Bronze	51
Total	111

This was a landmark performance for India at the Asian Para Games.

The result highlighted improvements in athlete preparation, coaching, sports infrastructure and opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in elite competitions.

India’s five bronze medals in para table tennis in 2026 also represent an improvement over its two-bronze performance in that sport at the previous edition.

6. Significance of the Asian Para Games

The Asian Para Games are important beyond medals and rankings.

Promoting inclusion

Inclusive sports create opportunities for athletes with disabilities to participate in competitive activities and demonstrate their abilities.

Challenging social barriers

The success of para-athletes can challenge stereotypes and encourage society to focus on talent, performance and individual potential.

Improving accessible infrastructure

Sporting events can strengthen the case for accessible stadiums, transport, training facilities and public spaces.

Encouraging grassroots participation

Recognition of successful para-athletes can motivate young people with disabilities to pursue sports and other professional goals.

Strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem

International competitions provide experience, reveal areas for improvement and encourage investment in coaching, equipment, classification services and athlete support.

7. Government Support and Inclusive Sports

India’s progress in para-sports is supported by broader efforts to improve sports training and competitive opportunities.

Important initiatives include:

Khelo India: A government programme that supports sports development, talent identification and competitive opportunities. Its programmes include support for para-sports.
Sports Authority of India (SAI): Supports athlete training and sports development through its centres and programmes.
Accessible infrastructure: Accessible facilities and transport help athletes participate in training and competitions.
Targeted athlete support: Financial assistance, equipment, coaching and international exposure can help athletes compete at elite levels.

Effective support requires more than financial assistance. It also involves accessible sporting facilities, trained coaches, suitable equipment, early talent identification and protection against discrimination.

Prelims Focus: Important Facts

Host country: Japan.
Host region and city: Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya.
Dates: 18–24 October 2026.
Edition: 5th Asian Para Games.
Official slogan: “Imagine One Heart”.
Ceremony theme: “WABI – We Are Beautiful Individuals”.
Previous edition: Hangzhou, China, in 2023.
India’s 2023 medal tally: 111 medals — 29 gold, 31 silver and 51 bronze.
Para table tennis governing body: International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
Wheelchair classes in para table tennis: Classes 1–5.
Standing classes: Classes 6–10.
Class for athletes with intellectual impairment: Class 11.
Ravi Baby Sahana: Women’s singles Class 9 bronze medallist.
Prachi Pandey: Women’s singles Class 6 bronze medallist.

The Games’ dates, slogan and classification details can be verified through the Asian Paralympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee. <Cite refs={[“turn455348search9″,”turn878768search3″,”turn878768search4”]}/>

Conclusion / Way Forward

India must strengthen accessible sports infrastructure, grassroots talent identification and sustained athlete support to build a more inclusive and competitive para-sports ecosystem.

Prelims Check

Question 1

With reference to para table tennis, consider the following statements:

Athletes in Classes 1–5 generally compete in wheelchairs.
Classes 6–10 are designated for standing athletes.
Class 11 is intended for athletes with intellectual impairment.
The International Table Tennis Federation governs para table tennis.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 2

Consider the following pairs:

Asian Para Games edition	Host city
1. 2010	Guangzhou
2. 2014	Incheon
3. 2018	Jakarta
4. 2023	Tokyo

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four

Question 3

Consider the following statements:

Statement I: Para-sports classification helps promote fair competition among athletes with different eligible impairments.

Statement II: In para table tennis, sport classes are determined without considering how an impairment affects sporting performance.

Which one of the following is correct?

(a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II explains Statement I.

(b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, but Statement II does not explain Statement I.

(d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.

Answers and Explanations

Question 1 — Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Classes 1–5: These are wheelchair classes in para table tennis.
Classes 6–10: These are standing classes.
Class 11 and ITTF: Class 11 is for athletes with intellectual impairment, and the International Table Tennis Federation governs the sport. <Cite refs={[“turn878768search3″,”turn878768search10”]}/>

Question 2 — Answer: (c) Only three

Pair 1 is correct: The inaugural Asian Para Games were held in Guangzhou, China, in 2010.
Pairs 2 and 3 are correct: Incheon, South Korea, hosted the 2014 edition, while Jakarta, Indonesia, hosted the 2018 edition.
Pair 4 is incorrect: The 2023 Asian Para Games were held in Hangzhou, China, not Tokyo.

Question 3 — Answer: (c)

Statement I is correct: Classification helps ensure meaningful competition among athletes with comparable functional limitations.
Statement II is incorrect: Classification considers the nature and impact of an eligible impairment on sporting performance.
Key concept: Para-sports classification is sport-specific and is intended to reduce the effect of impairment on competition outcomes.

“Your circumstances do not define your limits; your determination shapes how far you can go.”