October 2026: Gujarat’s 24-year-old visually impaired sprinter Tejalben Damor made an impressive debut at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning the bronze medal in the women’s 200m T12 event. She clocked 25.23 seconds in the final, recording a personal best and adding another achievement to India’s campaign at the continental para-sports competition.
Tejalben’s medal is particularly significant because this was her first appearance at the Asian Para Games. Her performance demonstrated the progress she has made through regular training and international competition, strengthening India’s presence in para-athletics.
The sprinter trains at the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Her latest achievement follows a series of encouraging performances, including a gold medal at the Dubai Para Athletics Grand Prix in September 2026.
Strong performance from heats to final
Tejalben competed in the women’s 200m T12 event on Tuesday, October 20. She began her campaign in the heats, finishing in 25.25 seconds to secure second place in her race and qualify for the final.
She then improved her performance in the medal round, completing the 200-metre distance in 25.23 seconds to claim bronze. The timing marked a new personal best, underlining her ability to perform under pressure at a major international event.
Her improvement of 0.02 seconds between the heat and final reflected her progress during the competition. In sprint events such as the 200 metres, even small differences in timing can influence the final standings, making her achievement noteworthy.
For a debutant at the Asian Para Games, reaching the podium while also establishing a personal best represented an important milestone in her sporting career.
Improves on Dubai Grand Prix performance
Tejalben had previously demonstrated her potential at the Dubai Para Athletics Grand Prix in September 2026, where she won gold in the women’s 200m event with a time of 25.47 seconds.
That performance had been her personal best at the time. At the Asian Para Games, she lowered her mark to 25.23 seconds, improving by 0.24 seconds.
The progress between the two competitions highlights the gains she has made through training and competitive experience. Her results in Dubai and Japan have established a positive sequence of performances, with the Asian Para Games bronze providing further encouragement as she prepares for future international events.
Her latest timing also shows that she has continued to improve against a competitive field, moving beyond her earlier benchmark on one of the biggest stages of para-athletics in Asia.
Tejalben credits coach Nitin Chaudhary
Tejalben was visibly emotional after winning the bronze medal and credited her coach, Nitin Chaudhary, for playing a crucial role in her success.
She acknowledged the guidance, consistent training and personal sacrifices that contributed to her development as an athlete. She also expressed gratitude for the support and encouragement she received throughout her preparation.
Her comments highlighted the role of coaches in helping athletes manage the demands of high-level competition. Behind a medal-winning performance are months of training, technical guidance and preparation, all of which contribute to an athlete’s ability to deliver when it matters most.
For Tejalben, the bronze medal was not only a personal achievement but also recognition of the work invested by her coaching team.
Simran wins gold as India secures two medals
India enjoyed a double podium finish in the women’s 200m T12 event, with experienced sprinter Simran winning gold alongside Tejalben’s bronze.
Simran completed the race in 24.80 seconds, setting a new Asian Para Games record. Iran’s Hajar Safarzadeh took silver with a time of 25.02 seconds, while Tejalben finished third in 25.23 seconds.
The result gave India two medals in the same event and highlighted the country’s competitiveness in women’s para-sprinting.
Simran’s record-setting gold and Tejalben’s personal-best bronze provided contrasting but equally significant achievements. While Simran secured the top position, Tejalben’s performance marked a successful introduction to the continental Games.
The double medal result also reflected the depth of India’s women’s para-athletics contingent, with athletes competing strongly against international opponents.
Understanding the T12 classification
The T12 category in para-athletics is intended for athletes with visual impairments. Competitors in this classification have a degree of vision loss that affects their ability to race under standard conditions.
Depending on the applicable competition rules and classification requirements, athletes in the T12 category may use a guide runner. Para-athletics has separate classifications for different types and levels of impairment, helping create fair competition among athletes with comparable functional abilities.
The classification system enables athletes to compete in events suited to their impairment category while showcasing their speed, technique and endurance.
A promising step for Indian para-athletics
Tejalben’s achievements in Dubai and at the Asian Para Games mark an encouraging phase in her career. Her training at SAI’s National Centre of Excellence in Gandhinagar, combined with experience in international competitions, has helped her improve her timing and deliver consistent results.
Winning a medal on her Asian Para Games debut is a significant accomplishment for the Gujarat sprinter. Recording a personal best in the final makes the achievement even more meaningful and provides a strong foundation for future competitions.
Her bronze medal, alongside Simran’s gold, has added to India’s success in para-athletics at Aichi-Nagoya. Tejalben’s journey also offers encouragement to aspiring athletes, demonstrating the importance of discipline, perseverance and sustained preparation.
As she builds on her latest performance, the 24-year-old will look to continue improving her timings and establish herself further on the international para-athletics circuit. Her debut medal will remain an important milestone in a career that continues to develop.
