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Asian Para Games: Ashok Malik Wins Silver, Secures India’s First Para Powerlifting Medal

Ashok Malik’s 192kg lift earns India a medal in para powerlifting at the Asian Para Games.

Apex Sports News graphic: Ashok Malik wins silver for India at the Asian Para Games
Photo: Apex Sports News graphic

Ashok Malik claimed silver in the men’s -65kg powerlifting final at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, lifting 192kg.

Key takeaways

  • Ashok Malik lifted 192kg to win silver in the men’s -65kg category
  • China’s Zou Yi won gold with 216kg, Indonesia’s Margono took bronze with 177kg
  • Malik is a 37-year-old athlete who competed in the 2024 Paris Paralympics and 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
  • He had previously won bronze in the same category at the prior Asian Para Games
  • His best lift came on his second attempt after opening with 187kg and failing at 201kg

Ashok Malik secured a silver medal in the men’s -65kg powerlifting event at the 2026 Asian Para Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. His lift of 192kg placed him second behind China’s Zou Yi, who lifted 216kg to claim gold, and ahead of Indonesia’s Margono, who took bronze with 177kg.

Medal Breakdown and Attempts

Malik began his campaign with an opening lift of 187kg, which he cleared successfully. He then progressed to 192kg on his second attempt, a weight he managed to clear. His final attempt at 201kg was unsuccessful. Zou Yi, the world record holder, dominated the event with a winning lift of 216kg, while Margono secured bronze by clearing 177kg on his third and final attempt.

He finished second with a best effort of 192kg, which he cleared in his second attempt.

Context and Background

Ashok Malik, aged 37, has previously represented India in major international multi-sport events. At the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, he competed in the men’s -65kg powerlifting category and finished sixth. More recently, he participated in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he placed fourth in the same event. His silver medal at the Asian Para Games marks an improvement over his performance in the previous edition of the Games, where he had won bronze in the men’s -65kg powerlifting category.

Zou Yi of China, the gold medallist, holds the world record in the men’s -65kg powerlifting category with a lift of 222kg, set at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. His winning lift of 216kg at the 2026 Asian Para Games fell short of his own world record but was sufficient to secure the top podium position.

The Asian Para Games are a multi-sport event held every four years for athletes with physical, visual, and intellectual impairments, organized by the Asian Paralympic Committee. The 2026 edition is being hosted in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, featuring para powerlifting as one of the core sports. India’s participation in the Games includes athletes across various disciplines, with Malik’s silver contributing to the nation’s overall medal tally.

Looking ahead, Malik’s performance positions him as a key contender for future international competitions, including the next Paralympic Games. His consistent progression from bronze in the prior Asian Para Games to silver in 2026 reflects sustained development in his athletic career. No further details about his upcoming events are provided in the sources.

Sources

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