Ayush Verma wins India's 10th gold medal at Asian Para Games, tops men's shot put F53 event

Ayush Verma won a gold medal in the men’s shot put F53 event, making it 10 for India in the 2026 Asian Para Games. He topped the podium with a best throw of 8.16 metres on his fifth attempt. It was his second medal at the Asian Para Games this edition, having already won bronze in the men’s javelin F53/54 event on Tuesday.

Verma opened with a throw of 7.39 metres, followed by 7.42 metres and 7.50 metres in his next two attempts. He reached 7.92 metres in his fourth attempt and delivered his best throw of 8.16 metres in the fifth. His final attempt measured 7.54 metres, but the fifth throw secured India’s tenth gold medal at the Games.

Alireza Hemami of Iran was second with 8.09m, the closest competitor to Ayush in the shot put. Makhambet Serikkaliyev of Kazakhstan took third with 6.81m.

F53 is for field athletes who have movement affected to a high degree in the trunk and legs and hand grip affected to a low level. They compete in seated positions and generate inertia using their chest, upper-back and shoulders.