Prachi Pandey Makes History as Para Table Tennis Player at Asian Para Games

Gandhinagar, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : Prachi Pandey has made headlines by winning a bronze medal in the women’s singles Class 6 event at the 2026 Asian Para Games held in Nagoya, Japan. This achievement marks a significant milestone for India, as it is the country’s first medal in this competition. Starting her career as a software engineer, Prachi has transitioned into para table tennis and is currently training at the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Gandhinagar under the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

At 33 years old, Prachi holds the 17th position in the world rankings. Her journey from the tech industry to becoming a full-time para athlete is a testament to her determination, hard work, and resilience.

During the competition, Prachi reached the semifinals, where she faced off against Iraq’s Najla Al-Dayyeni, the fifth-ranked player globally and the reigning champion of both the Paralympics and Asian Para Games. Her ability to secure a medal among such formidable international competitors highlights her growing reputation on the global stage.

Originally from Uttar Pradesh, Prachi completed her M.Tech at Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh. She worked as a full-stack software developer from 2020 to 2023 before deciding to pursue para table tennis as a full-time career. Despite facing challenges due to a neurological condition, she has consistently excelled and established herself among India’s top para table tennis players.

Prachi’s domestic career has also been impressive, with gold medals in the National Para Table Tennis Championships in both 2022 and 2023. Additionally, she won gold at the inaugural Khelo India Para Games in 2023 and successfully defended her title in the 2025 edition.

On the international front, she has achieved remarkable success, earning her first medal at the Brazil Para Open in 2023. To date, she has claimed a total of 12 medals in ranking tournaments, including four silver and eight bronze.

Her recent performances include a silver medal at the 2026 ITTF World Para Future in Gold Coast and bronze medals at the ITTF World Para Future in Nakhon Ratchasima and Kaohsiung in 2025.

Prachi credits her success to the Khelo India program and the support from the NCOE in Gandhinagar, where she has been training since June 2023. The center provides her with high-level training, sports science facilities, and opportunities to compete internationally.

As a nodal center for para sports, SAI NCOE Gandhinagar offers specialized coaching, assistance from sports science experts, and extensive training facilities. Prachi participates in three training sessions daily, focusing on enhancing her physical strength, physiotherapy, mental preparation, and recovery.

To enhance her competitive capabilities, the center facilitated her participation in three international competitions, allowing her to gain invaluable experience against top players worldwide.

In preparation for the 2026 Asian Para Games, Prachi received approximately ₹26.86 lakh in financial support under the Annual Training and Competition Calendar (ATCC). The center also provided her with residential training and essential facilities.

Reflecting on her historic achievement, Prachi expressed, “Winning a medal for India at my first Asian Para Games feels like a dream come true. My journey from being a software engineer to standing on the medal podium has been filled with challenges, sacrifices, and determination.” She expressed gratitude towards the Indian Sports Authority, the Khelo India program, and the support from her coaches and the sports science team, emphasizing that this medal is a result of collective efforts and inspires her to aim for more medals in the future.

Prachi’s accomplishment is also significant for the SAI regional center in Gandhinagar, which is working towards establishing the NCOE as a premier national training hub for para sports. The center currently conducts specialized training programs in six para sports, underscoring the efforts of the Khelo India initiative and the Sports Authority of India to provide technical, scientific, and institutional support for athletes to compete at the international level.