Who Is Lisha Das? Meet India’s Youngest Para Commonwealth Games Debutant

Para-cyclist Lisha Das is set to write her name in the history books of para athletics as she is set to become the youngest athlete to make her debut in the Commonwealth Games when she takes part in the CWG 2026 on July 30.

At just 16-years-old, Lisha has quickly become one of the brightest stars for her country, progressing rapidly through the ranks thanks to a string of grassroots programmes.

Who Is Lisha Das?

Coming from the small hinterland of Assam, Sonitpur, Lisha is a para cyclist. Das has a deformity in one hand and currently competes in the C5 category, where cyclists ride conventional bicycles with the necessary adaptations according to the specific needs of the cyclist.

She was first spotted by the Aditya Mehta Foundation’s grassroots talent identification programme. Subsequently, she was inducted into the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Hyderabad to hone her skills.

Presently, she is a student at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Biswanath, where she balances her academic pursuits with her sporting ambitions through remarkable grit and determination.

With her career on an upward trajectory, Lisha is now setting her sights on even bigger milestones, beginning with the Commonwealth Games before shifting her focus to the Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Rising Through The Ranks

Lisha announced herself on the national stage last year by winning gold at the National Road Cycling Championships before enjoying a successful international season with six medals across two Para Cycling Cups in Thailand.

She opened her campaign with two gold medals in the road races at the Lanna Cup and followed it up with four medals, including two silver and two bronze, at the Korat Para Cycling Cup.

The impressive run continued in 2026 as she marked her debut at the Asian Para Track Cycling Championships in the Philippines with five medals, including two silver and three bronze, further establishing herself as one of India’s rising para-cycling talents. Her consistent performances elevated her in the continental rankings and significantly strengthened her chances of qualifying for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Equally adept in both road and track cycling, Lisha is now set to make her maiden appearance at a major multi-sport Games in Glasgow, where she will face elite competition, including four-time Paralympic champion Kadeena Cox of England. She is scheduled to compete in the combined C4-C5 track cycling events, the 4,000m individual pursuit on July 30 and the 1,000m time trial on August 2.