Odisha ace Payal, the only archer in the world without any hand or leg, also competed in the individual compound event, but bowed out in the quarterfinals, losing to Japanese opponent Aya Shinohara 131-135. Earlier in the pre-quarterfinals, Payal beat Chang I- fen 139-137.

In badminton, Odisha Paralympian Pramod Bhagat assured himself of two medals by reaching semifinals in mens singles SL3 and mixed doubles SL3-SU5 categories at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Ichinomiya today.

In his singles quarterfinals, Bhagat beat Daisuke Fujihara (Japan) 21-12, 21-10 to set up a semifinal clash against Lee Seung-hu (Korea) to be played on October 22. In the mixed-doubles quarterfinals, Bhagat and Manisha defeated Thailand pair of Siripong Teamarrom and Chanida Srinavakul 21-15, 21-14. They will face Indonesian duo of Hikmat Ramdani and Leani Ratra Oktila in the semifinals on October 22.

Representing India at the Asian Para Games for the fifth time in a row, Bhagat earlier bowed out of the medal race in mens doubles SL3-SU5 category, losing both of his matches at the group stage with Sukant Kadam as partner.

However, world champion Bhagat added a special honour to his name as he along with woman athlete Simran Sharma led the Indian contingent as flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the Asian Para Games earlier on October 18.

But Odisha suffered heartbreaks in athletics as the two women from the State ended their respective campaign without any medal at Paloma Mizuho Sports Park in Nagoya. Sprinter Jayanti Behera finished sixth in 200m T47 category final, clocking 26.81 seconds. Earlier in her heat, Jayanti achieved a personal best time of 26.75 seconds.

Odisha javelin thrower Suchitra Parida came close to a bronze medal in F55/56 category before finishing with a personal best of 19.09 metres. Jayanti, however, still has an opportunity to win a medal as she gears up to compete in the 400m T45-47 category.
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TOP: Odisha archery phenomenon Payal Nag with her coach at the Asian Para Games in Japan on 20 October 2026.

RIGHT: Pramod Bhagat and his doubles partner Sukant Kadam at the badminton competition of the Asian Para Games in Japan.