Himanshu Nandal, Niranjan Mukundan Win Swimming Bronze

Indian swimmers Himanshu Nandal and Niranjan Mukundan won bronze medals in their respective events at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday, adding to India’s medal tally.

Himanshu finished third in the men’s 400m freestyle S11 event with a time of 5 minutes 10.91 seconds, while Niranjan secured bronze in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7 event, clocking 2 minutes 57.01 seconds.

Himanshu Overcomes Challenges to Reach Podium

The 22-year-old Himanshu was born blind due to optic nerve failure. Raised in a sports-oriented family in Rohtak, Haryana, he moved to Delhi at the age of four and joined the National Association for the Blind, where he learned Braille.

A political science graduate from Delhi University’s Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, Himanshu initially pursued judo and won medals at the national level before taking up swimming in 2021.

In 2024, he became the first Indian blind swimmer to achieve the Minimum Qualification Standard for the Paris Paralympics. He also reached two finals at the 2025 World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore. On Monday, he finished fourth in the men’s 100m backstroke S11 event.

Niranjan Mukundan Continues Inspiring Journey

The 32-year-old Niranjan competed in his fourth consecutive Asian Para Games. Born with spina bifida and clubbed feet, he has undergone 19 surgeries since childhood.

Doctors recommended swimming as aquatic therapy when he was seven to help strengthen his muscles. The rehabilitation exercise eventually developed into a lifelong passion, leading him to international competition.

Meanwhile, India’s Suyash Jadhav finished fifth in the men’s 200m individual medley SM7 event with a time of 3:03.40.

Other Indian Swimmers in Action

Ravi Karthik Budigina finished fifth in the men’s 400m freestyle S13 and sixth in the men’s 100m breaststroke SB13. Jahangir Milla placed eighth in the breaststroke event, while Abdul Quadir Indori finished seventh in the men’s 50m butterfly S5.

Budigina had won silver in the men’s 100m freestyle S13 on Monday.