India’s Swati Chaudhary created history by winning the country’s first-ever medal in the W1 category of archery at the Asian Para Games 2026, claiming silver in the women’s individual final in Nagoya on Thursday, October 22.
The top-seeded Indian lost 4-6 to China’s Cen Mengkan after surrendering a 4-2 lead in a closely contested final.
Coached by Athens Olympian Satyadev Prasad at Gurukul Archery Academy in Meerut, Swati started strongly but could not maintain her advantage as the world No. 23 Chinese archer produced a strong finish to secure her maiden Asian Para Games gold.
Swati won the opening set 25-17 before Mengkan levelled the contest by taking the second 22-21. The Indian regained the lead with a 22-21 win in the third set, but the Chinese archer dominated the final two sets, winning 30-20 and 28-21 to seal the title.
Despite missing out on gold, Swati’s silver medal marked a landmark achievement for Indian para archery, bringing the country its first-ever podium finish in the W1 category at the continental Games.
