Swati Chaudhary created history by securing India's first W1 archery medal at the Asian Para Games, winning silver after a closely contested final against China's Cen Mengkan.
Indian para archer Swati Chaudhary made history on Thursday by winning India's first-ever medal in the W1 category of archery at the Asian Para Games. The 37-year-old secured silver in the women's individual event after losing the final to China's Cen Mengkan.
Swati, the top-seeded Indian archer, put up a determined fight but was unable to maintain her advantage in the closing stages. She lost 4-6 in a match that saw both competitors experience shifts in momentum.
Despite missing out on gold, her performance marked a significant milestone for Indian para archery and highlighted the country's growing presence in the W1 category.
Swati began the final confidently and took the opening set 25-17 after her Chinese opponent made an inaccurate shot. The victory gave the Indian an early 2-0 advantage under the set-point scoring system.
Cen responded in the second set as Swati struggled to maintain her accuracy. The Chinese archer secured the set 22-21, bringing the score level at 2-2.
The Indian regained control in the third set, taking advantage of Cen's inconsistent shooting. Swati edged ahead with a narrow 22-21 win, moving to within one set of the gold medal at 4-2.
However, the contest changed dramatically in the fourth set. Cen delivered three perfect 10-point arrows to score 30, while Swati managed 20. The result levelled the match at 4-4 and set up a decisive final set.
With the gold medal on the line, Cen maintained her composure and produced a strong finish. She scored 28 points in the deciding set, while Swati finished with 21.
The Chinese archer won the final set 28-21 to complete a comeback victory and claim her maiden Asian Para Games gold medal.
The final scoreline reflected a competitive contest in which Swati demonstrated her ability to challenge a strong international opponent. Although the Indian could not convert her early lead into a championship victory, she secured a historic silver medal for the country.
Swati Chaudhary, who hails from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, has established herself as one of India's promising competitors in para archery.
She trains at Gurukul Archery Academy in Meerut under Athens Olympian and coach Satyadev Prasad. Her development as an international archer has been marked by consistent performances despite financial challenges that have restricted her ability to participate in major international trials.
Her silver medal at the Asian Para Games represents another important achievement in a career built through perseverance, training and competitive experience.
The W1 classification is designed for athletes with severe impairments affecting both their upper and lower limbs. It includes competitors with conditions such as tetraplegia or comparable limitations in muscle power and limb function.
Athletes competing in this category face significant physical and technical challenges, requiring precision, concentration and consistent control over their equipment.
Swati's historic medal is particularly significant because it marks India's first podium finish in this classification at the Asian Para Games. Her performance could also help increase awareness of W1 archery and encourage greater participation in para sports.
Swati's silver-medal performance builds on several strong results at international and domestic competitions.
At the World Archery Para Series in Bangkok in 2026, she won three silver medals across the women's W1 individual, women's W1 team and W1 mixed team events. These results demonstrated her competitiveness across multiple formats.
She also earned a bronze medal at the World Archery Para Series in Ahmedabad the previous month, adding to her international achievements.
At the domestic level, Swati won gold in the women's W1 category at both the 2025 Para Archery National Championships and the Khelo India Para Games 2025. These victories helped establish her position among India's leading athletes in the discipline.
Swati's preparation and participation in competitions receive support under the government's Annual Calendar for Training and Competition (ACTC).
According to the information provided, financial assistance of ₹51,99,651 has been allocated to support her training and competitive activities.
Such assistance can help athletes meet expenses associated with coaching, equipment, preparation and participation in competitions. For para athletes seeking to compete internationally, sustained financial and institutional support can be an important factor in improving performance and accessing high-level events.
Swati's achievements demonstrate the value of combining individual determination with coaching and structured sporting support.
Conclusion
Swati Chaudhary's silver medal at the Asian Para Games marks a historic moment for Indian para archery. Although China's Cen Mengkan came from behind to win gold, Swati's achievement established India's first-ever W1 archery medal at the competition. Her journey from Meerut, international medal record and continued determination underline her growing stature in the sport and provide encouragement for India's future para archery athletes.