Three-Time Asian Para Games Gold Medallist Neeraj Yadav Dies by Suicide at 42

Indian para-athletics has been left mourning the loss of one of its accomplished performers after Neeraj Yadav, a three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist, allegedly died by suicide after consuming poison at his residence. He was 42.

The circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear, with a postmortem examination underway at a Delhi hospital on Wednesday. S Satyanarayana, head coach of the Indian para-athletics team, confirmed the death and described the incident as deeply unfortunate.

Yadav was reportedly under emotional stress after missing the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, earlier this month because of a doping suspension. However, the exact circumstances and reasons behind his death have not been established.

A prominent name in Indian para-athletics, Yadav won three gold medals across two editions of the Asian Para Games. He claimed the men’s javelin throw title at the 2018 Jakarta Games, before securing gold in both javelin and discus at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

His journey in sport was marked by determination in the face of physical challenges. Diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis at the age of seven, Yadav initially pursued wheelchair tennis before switching to para-athletics, where he went on to achieve international success.

He competed in the F55 category, which features seated field events such as the shot put, discus and javelin. His achievements made him one of India’s notable para-athletes on the international stage.

His death comes as a tragic loss for Indian para-sport, particularly given his record of success at major international competitions. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.