Indian para-athlete Pranav Soorma delivered a memorable performance at the Asian Para Games, winning gold in the discus throw with a record-breaking effort. The Paris Paralympics silver medallist compared his achievement in a new event to Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli occasionally bowling and picking up a wicket despite being better known for his batting.
Soorma clinched the gold medal in the combined F51/F52/F53 discus throw event on Tuesday, setting a new Asian record in his first major competition in the discipline. His achievement was particularly impressive given that club throw remains his primary event.
The 32-year-old secured the top spot with a throw of 11.66 metres on his fourth attempt, establishing a new continental record. Fellow Indian athlete Ram Ratan Singh also impressed, claiming the silver medal with a throw of 10.35 metres on his second attempt. The result ensured a memorable one-two finish for India.
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Reflecting on his unexpected success in discus throw, Pranav Soorma used a cricketing analogy to explain how rewarding it felt to excel outside his speciality. “When we play cricket, a batter sometimes bowls. Like Virat Kohli does, batting very well. But after a long time, he bowls an over in which he gets a batter out,” Soorma said after winning the gold medal.
The Indian athlete admitted that he was delighted to achieve a personal best and break the Asian record in an event he had only recently begun competing in at the highest level.
🥇🇮🇳 Pranav Soorma wins discus throw gold with an Asian record at the Asian Para Games 💪
🗣️ “It’s like Virat Kohli taking a wicket” 🏏🎯
#PranavSoorma #AsianParaGames #ViratKohli #TeamIndia #ParaAthletics
https://t.co/v3i39I3ffF
— News18 Sports (@News18Sports) October 20, 2026
“It is a new event for me. I am competing in this event (discus) for the first time in such a big event. I am very happy to do my personal best and break the Asian record,” he said.
Pranav Soorma also explained the technical differences between discus throw and club throw, his preferred discipline. While club throw requires athletes to apply glue to the implement and grip it with their fingers, discus throw involves applying glue across the hand and mastering the release technique.
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“My pet event is club throw; this (discus) is my second event. This time I am participating in both the events, discus throw and club throw,” he added. Having already won club throw gold at the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Soorma’s latest triumph highlights his versatility and growing stature in Indian para-athletics.
