India Para-Cyclists produced an impressive performance at the UCI Parasport Denmark Grand Prix in Odense, Denmark, winning 12 medals during the three-day track cycling competition. The event began on 7 August and ended on 10 August 2026, with Indian athletes collecting two gold, five silver and five bronze medals. The strong performance highlighted the growing presence of Indian para-cyclists at international competitions.

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The Indian contingent competed in different track cycling events and secured podium finishes across several categories. Arshad Shaikh emerged as the biggest medal winner for India, while young cyclists Vishwa Vasani and Anshuman Dhumal also made their mark at the international event.

Arshad Shaikh Leads India’s Medal Haul

Arshad Shaikh of Andhra Pradesh was India’s most successful cyclist at the Denmark Grand Prix. Competing in the MC2 category, he won a total of six individual medals.

Shaikh claimed two gold medals in elimination races. He also added three silver medals in the individual time trial, individual pursuit and scratch race. His sixth medal came in the 200m sprint, where he won bronze.

His performance across different events showed his ability to compete in both endurance-based races and shorter sprint events. Winning six medals at one international competition also made him one of the main highlights of India’s campaign in Denmark.

Young Cyclists Add More Medals

India’s younger para-cyclists also delivered strong performances. Seventeen-year-old Vishwa Vasani from Gujarat won four bronze medals in the WC3 category.

Vasani finished on the podium in the 1km individual time trial, scratch race, 200m sprint and elimination race. His four medals across different events made him another important part of India’s successful campaign.

Sixteen-year-old Anshuman Dhumal from Maharashtra also contributed to India’s medal tally. He won two silver medals in the elimination race. The performances of Vasani and Dhumal showed the emergence of young talent in Indian para-cycling.

The Indian contingent trained under chief coach Aditya Mehta, with preparation focused on international track cycling events.

What Is Para-Cycling?

Para-cycling is a form of competitive cycling for athletes with eligible physical, visual or other impairments. The sport is divided into different classifications so that athletes can compete against others with similar functional abilities.

Para-cycling includes both track and road competitions. Track events are held inside a velodrome, where cyclists compete over fixed distances or in races involving tactics, speed and endurance.

The Denmark Grand Prix included events such as the individual time trial, individual pursuit, scratch race, elimination race and 200m sprint.

Different Events Test Different Skills

The 200m sprint is one of the shorter events and focuses heavily on speed and acceleration. Cyclists need to build momentum before producing a fast finishing effort.

The individual time trial is different because athletes race against the clock. The goal is to complete the required distance in the fastest possible time.

The individual pursuit is another timed event in which cyclists race around the track. It requires a combination of speed, endurance and careful pacing.

In a scratch race, cyclists compete together and the finishing order determines the result. The elimination race adds another challenge, with riders being removed from the competition at regular intervals according to the race rules.

Classification Helps Create Fair Competition

Para-cycling uses sport classes based on the nature and extent of an athlete’s impairment. Categories such as MC2 and WC3 are used in UCI para-cycling competitions.

The letter generally indicates the athlete’s gender and type of event, while the number represents the relevant sport class. These classifications help create a more balanced competitive environment.

Athletes must meet the eligibility requirements before being placed into a particular sport class. The classification system is an important part of international para-sport because athletes can have very different physical abilities depending on their conditions.

UCI and International Para-Cycling

The Union Cycliste Internationale, commonly known as UCI, is the international governing body for cycling. It oversees cycling competitions and establishes rules for different forms of the sport, including para-cycling.

International events such as the UCI Parasport Denmark Grand Prix give athletes opportunities to compete against riders from different countries and gain experience at a high level.

For Indian para-cyclists, such competitions are also important as they provide international exposure and help athletes prepare for larger championships and future multi-sport events.

Support for Indian Para-Cycling

The Indian team received institutional support from organisations including Invesco, NTT DATA Business Solutions India, Alcon, Flutter Entertainment and GMMCO.

Support from organisations can play an important role in helping athletes access training facilities, equipment, coaching and international competitions. Para-cycling requires specialised bicycles and equipment, making consistent support especially important for athletes preparing for international events.

The 12-medal performance in Denmark adds to India’s growing success in para-sport. With experienced athletes such as Arshad Shaikh performing alongside young cyclists such as Vishwa Vasani and Anshuman Dhumal, the results from Odense provide another positive moment for Indian para-cycling in 2026.