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Indian para-athlete Pranav Soorma has added another major achievement to his sporting career by winning the gold medal in the men’s discus throw combined F51/52/53 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 20, 2026. The 31-year-old athlete recorded a throw of 11.66 metres, earning 932 Raza points and setting a new Asian record. His journey is particularly inspiring because a severe spinal cord injury at the age of 16 changed his life completely, but he went on to become an international para-athlete while also building an academic and professional career.
Who Is Pranav Soorma?
Pranav Soorma is an Indian para-athlete from Faridabad, Haryana, who competes in seated throwing events. Born on October 4, 1994, he has established himself as a successful athlete in international para-athletics competitions.
Alongside sports, Pranav has also focused on education and his professional life. He studied at St. Paul’s School in Delhi and later completed his postgraduate studies at the Delhi School of Economics. He works as a Scale-II manager at Bank of Baroda.
His achievements demonstrate how he has continued to pursue education, employment and competitive sports despite facing significant physical challenges.
A Life-Changing Accident at the Age of 16
Pranav’s life changed dramatically in 2011, when he was just 16 years old. A cement sheet fell on his head, causing a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralysed. The injury resulted in quadriplegia, a condition that significantly affects movement in the arms, legs and trunk.
He spent approximately six months in the hospital and faced a difficult recovery. The accident meant that he had to adjust to life in a wheelchair and reconsider many of his plans for the future.
However, Pranav did not give up. He gradually adapted to his circumstances and worked towards rebuilding his life. During his recovery, he began practising meditation to maintain a positive outlook. His friends also introduced him to para-sports while he was in the hospital, opening a new path for him.
His Family Played a Major Role in His Journey
Pranav’s family provided important support during his recovery and sporting development. His father, Sanjeev Soorma, left his job to support his son and help him pursue his goals.
His father became a full-time companion and athletic attendant, helping him manage the practical challenges of travelling, training and competing. This support played an important role in Pranav’s journey from rehabilitation to international sporting competitions.
From Recovery to Para-Athletics
During his recovery, Pranav discovered that sports could provide him with a new purpose. With encouragement from his friends and support from his family, he began exploring para-sports.
He eventually found his calling in para-athletics, particularly seated throwing events. Under the guidance of coach Narsi Ram, he developed his throwing technique and worked to improve his performance.
Athletes competing in the F51 category generally have significant limitations in trunk and limb function. They compete from a specialised throwing chair and rely heavily on their available upper-body strength and technique.
Pranav’s progress in the sport helped him move from rehabilitation towards competing at national and international levels.
Academic Success Despite Physical Challenges
While developing his sporting career, Pranav continued to focus on education. He scored 91.2% in his Class 12 examinations and later completed a postgraduate degree in commerce from the Delhi School of Economics.
He subsequently joined Bank of Baroda as an assistant manager, with his career later identified as Scale-II manager.
Balancing a banking career with the demands of international para-athletics requires considerable planning and commitment. His journey shows that he has continued to pursue professional and sporting goals together.
Pranav Soorma’s Major Sporting Achievements
Pranav gradually established himself as a successful competitor in para-athletics. Some of the major milestones in his career include:
- 2022: Won gold and silver medals at the Tunis Grand Prix.
- 2023: Won gold in the men’s club throw F51 event at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, held in October 2023. He recorded a Games record of 30.01 metres.
- 2023 and 2024: Won gold medals at the Serbia Open.
- 2024: Won gold at the Czech International Championships.
- 2024: Finished fourth at the World Para Athletics Championships.
- September 2024: Won silver in the men’s club throw F51 event at the Paris Paralympics, finishing behind fellow Indian athlete Dharambir, who won gold.
- October 2026: Won gold in the men’s discus throw F51/52/53 event at the Asian Para Games, setting a new Asian record.
Paris Paralympics 2024: Winning Silver for India
One of the most important moments in Pranav’s career came at the Paris Paralympics in September 2024.
He won the silver medal in the men’s club throw F51 event with a best throw of 34.59 metres. Fellow Indian athlete Dharambir won gold with a throw of 34.92 metres, giving India a memorable first-and-second-place finish in the event.
The achievement established Pranav as one of India’s leading para-athletes and brought international recognition to his sporting journey.
Asian Para Games 2026: Pranav Wins Gold and Sets an Asian Record
Pranav’s latest achievement came at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on October 20.
Competing in the men’s discus throw F51/52/53 event, he produced a best throw of 11.66 metres on his fourth attempt, earning 932 Raza points and setting a new Asian record.
He began with a throw of 10.79 metres, followed by a foul on his second attempt. He then improved to 11.35 metres on his third attempt before delivering his record-breaking throw. His remaining attempts measured 11.54 metres and 10.59 metres.
Fellow Indian athlete Ram Ratan Singh won silver with a throw of 10.35 metres and 809 Raza points. Iran’s Alireza Hemami finished third. The result gave India a first-and-second-place finish in the event.
Why Did Raza Points Matter?
The event combined athletes from the F51, F52 and F53 sport classes, which represent different levels of physical impairment. As a result, the final rankings were determined using the Raza points system rather than the actual throwing distance alone.
This system adjusts the scoring to account for differences between sport classes. Therefore, an athlete who records a longer throw does not necessarily win the combined event.
Pranav’s 11.66-metre effort earned him the highest score of 932 Raza points, securing the gold medal and the Asian record.
Recognition for His Achievement
Pranav’s performance received recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who congratulated him on winning gold and setting a new Asian record.
In a statement published by the Press Information Bureau on October 20, 2026, the Prime Minister praised Pranav’s strength, determination and competitive spirit, describing them as an inspiration.
Conclusion: An Inspiring Journey of Determination and Achievement
Pranav Soorma’s journey from a severe spinal cord injury at the age of 16 to becoming an Asian Para Games gold medallist is a remarkable story of persistence and adaptation. Despite facing a life-changing accident, he continued his education, built a career in banking and worked hard to establish himself in international para-athletics.
His gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2026, along with a new Asian record in the discus throw, adds another important milestone to his career. From winning gold at the 2023 Asian Para Games in club throw to securing silver at the Paris Paralympics in 2024 and gold in discus throw in 2026, Pranav has continued to achieve success on the international stage.
His journey sends a powerful message: a major setback can change the direction of life, but it does not have to end a person’s ambitions.
