New Delhi: Pranav Soorma claimed the gold medal in the men's discus throw F51/52/53 event at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya, securing India's sixth gold of the multi-sport competition. The 31-year-old para-athlete, who experienced a life-altering spinal cord injury at the age of 16 that left him with quadriplegia, delivered a commanding performance to defeat fellow countryman Ram Ratan Singh.
Competing second last in the combined classification event, Soorma entered the arena while Ram Ratan was holding the lead and considered a primary contender for the top spot. Soorma quickly shifted the momentum by launching an opening throw of 10.79 meters to claim the lead. He subsequently bettered that mark with an 11.66-meter effort in his third attempt, establishing a new Games and Asian record that remained unmatched by the rest of the field.
Ram Ratan, whose best effort reached 10.35 meters, took the silver medal, while Iran's Hemami Alireza earned the bronze. Although Alireza recorded a distance of 20.20 meters—significantly farther than Soorma's throw—the final standings were decided by the Raza point system rather than raw distance, as the event integrated athletes from three distinct sport classifications.
The Raza Point System converts performances into points via classification-specific tables to ensure fair competition among athletes with varying degrees of physical impairment. While Soorma and Ram Ratan compete in the F51 category, which involves substantial limitations in trunk and limb function, Alireza competes in the F53 class, which generally affords better arm function and limited or no trunk control. Consequently, Soorma's higher points total secured him the gold medal.
Originally from Faridabad, Haryana, Soorma's athletic journey began after an accident in 2011 altered his life trajectory. He pursued his education despite his condition, graduating from St Paul's School in Delhi and earning a postgraduate degree from the Delhi School of Economics, alongside working as a Scale-2 manager at Bank of Baroda. His father, Sanjeev Soorma, left his employment to serve as his full-time companion and athletic attendant, while coach Narsi Ram guided his transition into para-athletics.
Competing in seated throwing events, Soorma previously earned a silver medal in the men's club throw F51 at the Paris Paralympics and captured gold in the same event at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games. A recipient of the Arjuna Award with support from the Sports Authority of India and Olympic Gold Quest, Soorma added another major continental title to his resume with his victory in Nagoya.