Kerala athletes delivered an impressive performance at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Japan, with Muhammed Basil winning silver in the men’s T46/47 100-metre sprint and Alphia James securing a historic bronze in wheelchair badminton doubles alongside Karnataka’s Pallavi Kaluvehalli.
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Alphia, a native of Pampakuda in Ernakulam, and Pallavi won India’s first-ever wheelchair badminton medal at the Asian Para Games. The pair secured bronze in the women’s WH1-WH2 doubles after losing their semifinal against China. Alphia turned to para-sports after suffering a severe spinal cord injury following a fall from her hostel’s fourth floor during her higher secondary school years. After three years of treatment and recovery, she pursued sports with determination. A corporate group later offered her a position at its Dubai office and has sponsored her training. She also won silver at the World Championship earlier this year.
Her achievement sparked celebrations in Pampakuda, particularly among her family. Her mother, Viji, gave up her nursing career in Bengaluru to support Alphia’s rehabilitation and education. Alphia lost her father, James, at the age of seven, while her brother, Alphin, is studying in Canada. Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan congratulated Alphia and Pallavi, praising their determination and historic achievement.
Meanwhile, Ponnani-born Muhammed Basil claimed silver in the men’s 100-metre sprint, clocking 10.72 seconds. India’s Dilip Gavit won gold in 10.69 seconds, with both athletes breaking the previous Games record. The result echoed their performances at the Glasgow Commonwealth Para Games three months earlier.
Born without his right arm, Basil discovered his sprinting talent through his childhood coach, V. K. Anas, who spotted his speed while he was playing football at Veliyancode Umari School. Basil subsequently competed against able-bodied runners in the general category, including at the National Junior Meet. He is now ranked world No. 2 in the men’s T47 100-metre sprint.
A final-year undergraduate student at Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, Basil trains under R. Sreenivasan at the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education. Although he had aimed for gold, Basil attributed his narrowly missed victory partly to the drag caused by his track pants while running into a headwind. He dedicated his medal to his coach and family.
Basil’s silver sparked celebrations at his family home in Pallappuram, Ponnani, where his parents, Sirajuddeen and Seenath, watched the race alongside his younger brother, Shamil, and coach Anas.
India strengthened its position in the overall standings with five gold medals on the day, taking its tally to 62 medals — 14 gold, 22 silver and 26 bronze — and placing fifth on the medal table.
