India returned with a rich haul of 56 medals, including 19 gold, at the Dubai 2025 Asian Youth Para Games, which concluded on Saturday, as the continental event showcased the growing depth and competitiveness of para sport across Asia.
The Games, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the National Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, featured around 1,500 athletes from 35 countries. A total of 25 records were broken during the competition, including nine world records and 16 continental records, underlining the rapid rise in performance standards at the youth level.
Uzbekistan finished on top of the medals table with 197 medals, including 99 gold, followed by Iran, which collected 216 medals with 62 gold. Japan ended the Games with 40 gold medals, while hosts United Arab Emirates claimed 23 medals — six gold, eight silver and nine bronze — continuing their steady progress in youth para sport.
India’s campaign included several standout performances. Baby Sahana Ravi won gold in the Class SF-9 (Under-23) para table tennis event, defeating the Philippines’ Lhey Marie Manginsay in straight sets. Vishwa Vijay Tambe added a silver medal in the Class SM-10 category after a closely fought final against Korea DPR’s Kwang Nam So.
The Dubai edition also marked a first for the Asian Youth Para Games, with AI-powered robots integrated into Games operations. The robots featured during the opening ceremony and assisted in medal presentations, reflecting a focus on innovation and accessibility.
The fifth edition of the Asian Youth Para Games saw competitions across 11 disciplines, including athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis and wheelchair basketball. India fielded a 99-member contingent — 61 men and 38 women — competing in eight sports, reinforcing the country’s growing emphasis on inclusion and equal opportunity in sport.
-IANS
