Indian para-athlete Neeraj Yadav, a former Asian Para Games champion who won three gold medals for India, has reportedly died by suicide at his apartment, according to Indian media reports.
New Delhi, October 29, 2026: Neeraj Yadav, a prominent para-athlete from Uttar Pradesh, has reportedly died at his apartment. He was known for his achievements in athletics, particularly in javelin throw, and represented India at international competitions.
Yadav was diagnosed with polio at the age of seven. Despite the challenges, he pursued sports while using a wheelchair and initially played wheelchair tennis for approximately seven years before beginning his athletics career in 2015.
From Wheelchair Tennis to International Athletics
Yadav quickly made his mark in para-athletics. In 2016, he won silver medals in the men’s shot put and discus throw events at the Fazza Grand Prix.
At the 2018 Asian Para Games, he won gold with an Asian record throw of 29.84 metres, according to the supplied report.
Gold Medals at the Asian Para Games
Yadav achieved further success at the Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China, in October 2023. He won two gold medals: one in the F54/F55/F56 discus throw event and another in the men’s F55 javelin throw competition.
In 2022, he also won gold at the Marrakech Para Athletics Grand Prix in Morocco, setting a new Indian national record, the report stated.
A Career Marked by Sporting Achievements
Yadav’s journey from wheelchair tennis to international para-athletics made him a notable figure in Indian para-sports. His reported death has brought renewed attention to the athlete’s sporting career and achievements.
The circumstances surrounding his death were not detailed in the supplied report.