Asian Para Games: Dilip Gavit Adds Second Gold in Nagoya

Nagoya, October 22: Dilip Mahadu Gavit, competing in the T46 category, added a second gold to his tally at the Asian Para Games 2026 after winning the men's 400m T47 final on Thursday. Bhavik Kumar Bharwad secured silver in the same race.

Gavit had already topped the men's 100m T47 event earlier in the Games, making this his second gold in Nagoya.

Racing at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletics Stadium, Gavit finished first in 48.27 seconds. Bhavik Kumar crossed the line in second place with 49.31 seconds. Kakeru Ishida of Japan completed the podium with bronze in 49.58 seconds.

The victory was India's 20th gold of the Asian Para Games, as the Indian squad continues to perform impressively in Aichi-Nagoya. For Gavit, it is his second gold medal at these Games.

In the 100m T47 final, Gavit had timed 10.69 seconds for gold. Basil (T47 category) took silver with 10.72 seconds, a time that also created a new Games record.

Gavit had previously struck gold in the 400m T47 event at the 2022 Asian Para Games. He also reached the final of the men's 400m T47 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, making a proud contribution for the nation.

He was born in Torna Dongari, a tiny village near Nashik, Maharashtra, and grew up in a farming household with modest means. At five or six years old, he fell from a tree and sustained a serious injury to his right hand.

Because treatment was not available in time, the injury developed gangrene, and his arm was amputated below the elbow. Gavit did not let this stop him. He turned his love of running into a career in para-athletics, practising on the dusty village lanes.

His potential caught the attention of coach Vaijnath Kale, who identified his talent and set him on the road to professional para-athletics.