Asian Para Games 2026: Tejalben Damor Wins Bronze in 200m T12, Sets Personal Best

Tejalben Amraji Damor's journey from overcoming personal adversity in Gujarat to securing a podium finish at the Asian Para Games 2026 reached a significant milestone in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The 24-year-old visually impaired sprinter, who trains at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence (SAI NCoE) in Gandhinagar, clinched the bronze medal in the women's 200m T12 event on her debut at the continental competition, while also recording a personal best.

Representing India on one of Asia's biggest sporting stages, Tejalben demonstrated the progress she has made through years of dedication, disciplined preparation and sustained training. Her medal-winning performance marked another important achievement in her developing international career.

The Gujarat athlete had earlier secured her place in the final after clocking 25.25 seconds in the heats, finishing second in her race. The timing represented an improvement on the 25.47 seconds she registered while winning gold at the Dubai Para Athletics Grand Prix in September 2026.

Following her podium finish, Tejalben expressed gratitude to her coach, Nitin Choudhary, crediting his commitment and relentless efforts for playing a crucial role in her success.

"First of all, I want to thank my coach. There has been tremendous hard work and discipline behind this medal. Even when Sunday was supposed to be a rest day, my coach never allowed our training to suffer. If we had a training session scheduled, he would be there. I want to thank him before anyone else," Tejalben said.

Tejalben Damor's Journey of Perseverance

Hailing from a modest family in Dahod, Gujarat, Tejalben has had to navigate several personal and financial challenges while pursuing her ambitions in athletics. Despite the obstacles along the way, she remained focused on establishing herself at the international level.

Her training at SAI NCoE Gandhinagar has provided access to structured coaching, sports infrastructure and essential facilities, allowing her to concentrate on improving her performance and preparing for major competitions.

Explaining the determination that drove her campaign, Tejalben said the prospect of returning home without achieving her goal was never an option.

"We came here with great expectations, immense hard work and a strong determination to win. My journey has involved a lot of struggle, but I was determined that whatever the difficulties, I had to return with a medal," she said.

Tejalben started her para-athletics career in 2022 and has gradually built an impressive record through national and international competitions. She finished sixth at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2025 before winning gold at the National Championships in 2026. Her triumph at the Dubai Para Athletics Grand Prix in September further underlined her improvement ahead of the Asian Para Games.

Working under Choudhary at SAI NCoE Gandhinagar, the sprinter has benefited from consistent technical guidance and a high-performance training environment that has helped her develop as a competitive athlete.

Government Support Behind Tejalben's Progress

Institutional assistance has also played a role in supporting Tejalben's preparations. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports extended financial assistance of ₹2,05,961 towards her sporting requirements under the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC).

SAI NCoE Gandhinagar has supplemented this assistance by providing coaching, training facilities, sports infrastructure and other essential requirements. Together, these resources have helped the athlete maintain a consistent preparation schedule and compete against leading para-athletes on the international stage.

Her bronze medal in the 200m T12 event reflects not only her personal determination but also the value of sustained coaching and access to a structured sporting environment.

Tejalben Damor Eyes 400m T12 After Bronze Medal

Despite the achievement in the 200m, Tejalben's campaign at the Asian Para Games is not over. The women's 400m T12 event remains her primary target, and she hopes to carry the confidence gained from her bronze medal into the longer sprint.

The athlete revealed that she and her coach had viewed the 200m event as an opportunity to build momentum before the 400m competition. Winning a medal has strengthened her belief that she can deliver another strong performance.

"My main event is the 400 metres, which is coming up next. My coach and I believed that winning a medal in the 200 metres would give us greater confidence for the 400 metres. Now, with this medal, I feel even more confident about giving my best in my main event," she added.

Beyond competing for India, Tejalben also hopes to make a lasting difference in her hometown. One of her ambitions is to establish a dedicated running track for visually impaired children in Dahod, giving young athletes with visual impairments greater opportunities to participate in athletics and explore their potential.