Himanshu Nandal Claims Bronze in Men’s 400m Freestyle at Asian Para Games

Indian para-swimmer Himanshu Nandal clinched bronze in the men’s 400m freestyle S11 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday, October 20, adding another medal to India’s growing tally at the continental competition.

The 22-year-old from Rohtak clocked 5 minutes and 10.91 seconds to finish third in the event. 

China’s Chuanzhen Sun won gold with an Asian Para Games record, while Japan’s Uchu Tomita secured silver. Nandal’s podium finish also marked India’s second swimming medal at the ongoing games.

From Judo to the Podium 

Nandal, who has been blind since birth due to optic nerve failure, took an unconventional route into competitive swimming. He initially pursued judo and won medals at the national level before switching to swimming in 2021.

His bronze medal represents a significant achievement in his developing para-swimming career.

The S11 classification is for swimmers with the most severe visual impairment, including athletes who are blind or have very limited vision.

Nandal Bounces Back to Secure Bronze 

Nandal’s success came a day after he finished fourth in the men’s 100m backstroke S11 event on Monday, narrowly missing out on a podium finish. He bounced back in the 400m freestyle to secure a medal for India.

His performance adds to the Indian contingent’s campaign at the Asian Para Games, where athletes are competing across swimming, athletics, archery, badminton and other disciplines.

The bronze medal underscores Nandal’s progress since changing sports and strengthens India’s presence in para-swimming at the continental level.

India Strengthens Its Medal Haul in Nagoya

Nandal’s bronze added to India’s growing medal tally at the Asian Para Games, taking the country’s total to 24 medals, comprising five gold, eight silver and 11 bronze. 

India had also secured a silver medal through Ravi Karthik Budigina in the men’s 100m freestyle S13 event earlier in the competition.