400m champion to 100m gold: Dilip Gavit’s bold transition pays off at Asian Para Games

India’s Dilip Mahadu Gavit has shown that he can strike gold beyond his original specialty. The Maharashtra sprinter produced a powerful late kick to clinch the men’s 100m T47 title at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on Wednesday, clocking 10.69 seconds to lead India’s one-two finish.

Gavit finished just ahead of compatriot Mohammed Morssinganakath, who took silver in 10.72 seconds. Chinese Kangjun Shi took the bronze in 10.80 seconds.

Gavit’s winning time was just 0.05 seconds off his personal best, underlining the quality of his performance. As he did at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this year, the 23-year-old found a different gear late in the race to secure victory.

For a runner who first rose to fame in the 400m, the gold is another milestone in his successful transition to the shorter sprint. Gavit won the men’s 400m T47 title at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou before turning his sights on the 100m. When the 400m was dropped from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games programme, he took on a new challenge. There he won gold in the 100 m and now he has followed that up with another major title in Nagoya.

The move has paid off handsomely, allowing Gavit to establish himself in the new venture without losing the force of aim that has become a hallmark of his run.

Gavit’s journey to the top began far from the international athletics circuit. Born in a village near Nashik, Maharashtra, he lost his left arm in an accident when he was four years old. Limited medical facilities meant that injuries could not be treated in time. Growing up in a rural environment where access to sports infrastructure was scarce, running athletics at an elite level seemed an unlikely prospect.

A moment of immense pride as Dilip Gavit won gold with a stellar time of 10.69s along with Mohammad Basil M taking a well-deserved silver in the Men’s 100m T47 at the Asian Para Games 2026. Hearty congratulations to both champions! #Cheer4Bharat #Asianparagames2026 Raksha Khadse (@khadseraksha) October 21, 2026

His potential was spotted by coach Vaijanath Kale who saw him competing in school events and convinced his parents to let him train.

Even before switching to para-athletics, Gavit showed promise against able-bodied competitors. He won two medals at the Khelo India Youth Games in Pune and another at the Under-18 level. His speed convinced Kale that he had the ability to keep going, even if the circumstances around him were far from ideal.

“The problem in rural areas is that there are no facilities,” Kale said. “He was not given proper medical equipment, which led to the amputation of his left hand.”

Gavit’s family struggled to cover the cost of training and equipment. Kale supported him and allowed the young runner to continue developing his talent. He is now training at VDK Foundation in Nashik under the same coach who recognized his skills in school.

Gavit made his international debut at the 2022 Desert Challenge Cup, finishing second. At the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, he won gold in the men’s 400m T47 and secured qualification for the Paris Paralympics by placing fourth at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships.

At the Paris Paralympics, he finished third in his heat, but narrowly missed out on qualifying for the final. This experience was the next step in his development as he continued to compete at the highest level.

Gavit also dominated the 400m at the Para National Athletics Championships, winning four consecutive gold medals. But the omission of his favorite event from the Glasgow program has made him rethink his immediate plans. Rather than wait to return to the 400m, he decided to focus on the 100m.

This decision brought international gold medals. In Glasgow, Gavit overcame difficult weather conditions and a slippery track to win, despite a start that did not go to plan.

“The start was a bit slow, but then I gradually got faster and it was great to win,” he said after this victory.

Persistent rain made it difficult to warm up. “The weather wasn’t good and I had trouble getting the timing right. The body slows down and it’s hard to warm up,” he explained.

In Nagoya, his late acceleration again proved decisive. His effort of 10.69 seconds was enough to beat Morssinganakatha by 0.03 seconds to give India another gold.

Gavit, a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Dada Sahib Bidikar College in Nashik, has come a long way since the school pageants where Kale first noticed him. His progress was built on natural speed, sustained support and a willingness to adapt when circumstances required.

Gavit, once known for his strength over 400m, has now won major 100m titles at the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Para Games. In Nagoya, he offered another reminder that his ambitions are not limited to a single distance.

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