Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Niranjan Mukundan Eyes Asian Para Games After 107 Medals
Niranjan Mukundan started swimming because it was suggested as therapy when he was a child.
He was born with spina bifida and clubbed feet and has had 19 surgeries.
His coach saw that he could become a strong swimmer, so he began competing.
Mukundan says he has won 107 medals for India and became the first Indian para-swimmer to reach 100 international medals.
He also recently swam the 200-metre individual medley in less than three minutes after recovering from injuries.
He is now preparing for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan.
He and his coach are concentrating on a small number of events and refining his technique.
He says representing India and his love of swimming keep him going.
Niranjan Mukundan says swimming began as aqua therapy for spina bifida and clubbed feet; he has undergone 19 major and minor surgeries.
He says coach John Christopher recognized his potential and encouraged his family to enroll him in competitive swimming.
Mukundan became the first Indian para-swimmer to win 100 international medals; he says he has won 107 medals for India.
After back-to-back injuries from 2024 to late 2025, Mukundan returned to international competition and swam the 200m individual medley under three minutes.
Preparing for the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, he is narrowing his focus to one or two events and aims to give his best for India.
- Who
- Indian para-swimmer Niranjan Mukundan.
- What
- He discussed his career, 19 surgeries, 107 medals, recovery from injuries and preparation for the Asian Para Games.
- When
- Ahead of the 2026 Asian Para Games; he says his injuries lasted from 2024 until late 2025.
- Where
- The Games are scheduled for Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- Mukundan is preparing to compete and says his goal is to give his best and make India proud.
Mukundan’s view
Challenge or other perspective
How his journey is seen
Mukundan’s view
Mukundan says he focuses on how he built himself up and the medals he has won for India.
Challenge or other perspective
He says some people focus on his surgeries and respond with sympathy.
Building para-sport support
Mukundan’s view
Mukundan says more fans attending events and following para-athletes on social media would provide a boost.
Challenge or other perspective
The interview does not include a response from sports authorities or other stakeholders on what support is currently available.
- Sport
- Para-swimming
- Medical condition
- Spina bifida with clubbed feet
- Surgeries
- 19 major and minor surgeries, according to Mukundan
- Medal milestone
- First Indian para-swimmer to win 100 international medals
- Medals cited
- Mukundan says he has won 107 medals for India
- Recent performance
- Swam the 200m individual medley in under three minutes after rehabilitation
- Upcoming competition
- Asian Para Games 2026, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- Training focus
- One or two events, with attention to fine-tuning and race videos