Tejalben Damore wins bronze medal in Asian Para Games

Gandhinagar, 20 October :: Tejalben Amarji Damore, a visually impaired sprinter from Dahod, has won a bronze medal in the Women's 200m T12 event at the Asian Para Games-2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. With her stellar performance, she has achieved a new milestone at the international level.

Tejalben, 24, who is training at the National Centre of Excellence located in Gandhinagar under the Sports Authority of India (SAI), secured a place in the final by recording a time of 25.25 seconds in the heats. Earlier, in September 2026, she had won a gold medal at the Dubai Para Athletics Grand Prix with a time of 25.47 seconds.

Tejalben credited her success to coach Nitin Chaudhary. She stated that the coach's constant hard work, discipline, and guidance played a major role behind the medal.

Rising from struggling circumstances, Tejalben began her para athletics journey in 2022. After securing sixth place in the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships, she won gold at the 2026 National Championships and the Dubai Grand Prix.

Financial assistance of ₹2,05,961 has been provided to Tejalben for her sports training under the ACTC scheme by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. SAI Gandhinagar also provides her with coaching, sports facilities, and necessary infrastructural support.

Tejalben's main event, the 400m T12, is yet to take place. Stating that the medal in the 200m has boosted her confidence, she expressed hope to perform her best in the upcoming competition. Her dream is to build a special running track for visually impaired children in Dahod.