India's men's and women's kabaddi teams marched into the Asian Games finals with comfortable semifinal wins over Thailand and Nepal respectively on Friday, keeping their hopes of defending their gold medals alive.
India achieved a remarkable six-gold haul on the penultimate day of the Asian Games, surging to fifth place with 76 medals. Key victories included the women's hockey team securing gold and Olympic qualification, historic boxing golds from Lovlina Borgohain, Parveen Hooda, and Ankush Panghal, a wrestling gold by Sujeet Kalkal, and maiden recurve archery gold. This strong finish significantly bolstered India's overall campaign.
Indian athletes delivered a stellar performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, securing a gold medal in the women's 4x400m relay. The team's victory marked India's first track and field gold at the games. Additionally, India clinched several bronze medals in events like the 4x100m mixed relay, women's high jump, and men's 5000m, with Gulveer Singh achieving a remarkable hat-trick of podium finishes.
Asian Games bronze medallist Salman Khan received a grand welcome in his ancestral village of Pure Singai Kherouna, Amethi. He credited his achievement to his parents, coach, and community support, urging local youth to embrace sports, discipline, and hard work for success.
Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting has won a gold medal in the women's 60kg boxing category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, two years after facing a gender-eligibility dispute at the Paris Olympics. Lin was cleared to compete earlier this year and defeated China's Yang Chengyu. The article also highlights India's Lovlina Borgohain winning gold in the 75kg category.
India's women's doubles team, Ankita Raina and Rutuja Bhosale, were eliminated from the Asian Games tennis tournament after a first-round defeat to Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, Sumit Nagal's men's singles match was suspended due to rain.
Pincky Balhara secured a bronze medal in the women's 78kg Kurash event at the Asian Games, making her the first Indian to win two medals in the sport at the continental showpiece. Despite battling a knee injury sustained in the quarterfinals, Balhara fought valiantly before losing to South Korea's Sumin Mo in the semifinals. This achievement adds to her silver medal from the 2018 Jakarta Games.
Indian para track and field athletes delivered a spectacular performance at the Asian Para Games, securing 22 medals, including five gold, on Wednesday. Sprinter Simran Sharma was a standout, clinching her second gold medal in the women's 100m T12 event, making her only the fourth Indian to win two golds in the same edition. Other gold medallists included Dilip Gavit, Praveen Kumar, Ayush Verma, and Sachin Khilari, contributing to India's total of 42 para-athletics medals.
Murali Sreeshankar clinched a silver medal in the men's long jump at the Asian Games, contributing to India's growing athletics medal tally. Despite an ankle injury, Sreeshankar achieved a best jump of 8.07m. The day also saw other Indian athletes, including Parul Chaudhary, Gulveer Singh, and Vithya Ramraj, secure additional medals in various track and field events.
Defending champions India secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in the Asian Games hockey semifinal, thanks to a last-minute goal by Abhishek. India initially led 3-0 but allowed Pakistan to stage a comeback, scoring three goals to level the score before Abhishek's decisive strike with just 45 seconds remaining. The win sends India to the final, though their second-half performance raised questions.
The Indian men's volleyball team secured its third consecutive victory at the Asian Games, defeating Qatar 3-2 in a hard-fought match to qualify for the quarterfinals. The team showed remarkable resilience, coming back from two sets down in a marathon encounter.
Defending champion Jyothi Surekha Vennam was eliminated from the Asian Games individual compound archery competition by 14-year-old Korean Kang Yeonseo. Despite this setback, Indian debutants Chikitha Taniparthi and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru successfully advanced to the quarterfinals in their respective women's and men's events, showcasing strong performances including a shoot-off victory and an all-Indian clash.
Indian athletes, including Parul Chaudhary, Gulveer Singh, and Vithya Ramraj, secured multiple medals and broke records in various athletics events at the Asian Games, showcasing a strong performance in long-distance running and hurdles.
Indian shooter Niraj Kumar, a silver medallist in the men's 50m rifle 3 positions team event at the Asian Games, shared his joy and the sacrifices he made for his sport. He recounted choosing shooting over academics, asking his parents to buy him equipment, and expressed gratitude for the support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). He also reflected on his Asian Games debut and future aspirations for an individual medal.
Indian shooter Esha Singh secured a silver medal in the women's 25m pistol final at the 2026 Asian Games. She revealed that technical interruptions during the tense shoot-off were a "blessing in disguise," helping her manage unexpected fatigue and hand tightness. Esha battled through multiple shoot-offs, eventually finishing second to China's Xiao Jiaruixian, and plans to celebrate her achievement with a meal with her coach.
Mental Conditioning Coach Paddy Upton and Scientific Advisor Alan Tan, with the reported aid of Artificial Intelligence, were crucial in the Indian hockey team's Asian Games gold medal victory, focusing on present-moment play and team cohesion.
India's Asian Para Games campaign saw a remarkable performance, particularly in athletics, securing five gold medals on Tuesday. Nishad Kumar and Deepthi Jeevanji were standout performers, both setting new Games records and clinching multiple golds. The nation's overall medal tally reached 35 by the end of day two, with significant contributions from shooting, powerlifting, swimming, table tennis, archery, and badminton, promising further success.
Praveen Kumar secured a gold medal with a Games record in the men's high jump T44/64 at the Asian Para Games, while Banti added a silver.
Mohammad Yunus Khan, a renowned athletics coach who mentored star long-distance runners like Gulveer Singh and Kartik Kumar, has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for alleged 'complicity' in an anti-doping rule violation. Khan, a coach at the Army Sports Institute, faces charges under Article 2.9 of NADA rules, though the exact nature of his offence remains undisclosed. The suspension highlights ongoing efforts against doping in Indian sports, with several other athletes also recently provisionally suspended.
Defending champions India's men's kabaddi team secured a dominant 37-21 victory over Chinese Taipei, advancing to the semi-finals of the Asian Games with an unbeaten record in Group A.
Joga Purty and Deepu Mallesh, India's speed climbing representatives, are set to make their Asian Games debut. The athletes, who discovered the sport through different paths, discuss their journeys, the challenges of pursuing a niche sport, and their excitement for the upcoming competition, where India aims for its first climbing medal. They also highlight the need for better support and exposure for the sport in India.
Indian para-athletes continued their impressive performance at the Asian Para Games, adding 10 more medals, including three gold, to their tally on the third day of competitions. Ayush Verma, Praveen Kumar, and Sachin Khilari secured gold medals in their respective events, contributing to India's growing success.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India's Asian Games medal-winners, including the gold-winning cricket teams, on Thursday. He praised their achievements, highlighting India's growing strength in sports and its ambition to become a credible host for major international events, including a bid for the 2036 Olympics. Modi also emphasised the government's support for athletes and urged medallists to mentor the next generation.
World champion Pramod Bhagat and Paralympic gold-winner Kumar Nitesh have assured India of medals at the Asian Para Games by reaching the men's singles SL3 semifinals. Other Indian shuttlers, including Krishna Nagar, Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan, Manisha Ramdass, Sanjana Kumari, Abhijeet Sakhuja, Suhas LY, and Hardik Makkar, also delivered strong performances, advancing in various categories and securing multiple medals for the country.
Indian kurash athlete Pincky Balhara secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games despite suffering a knee injury during her quarterfinal bout. She revealed that the injury hampered her performance in the semifinal, preventing a higher finish. Balhara, a two-time Asian Games medallist, also highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by Indian kurash athletes due to the lack of a recognised national federation and reliance on private support.
Indian kurash athlete Pincky Balhara secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games, becoming the most successful Indian in the sport at the event. Her achievement came despite suffering a knee injury during the quarterfinal, which was further targeted by her semifinal opponent. Balhara, who trains with boys at her uncle's academy due to the lack of a national federation, expressed disappointment over the injury preventing a higher finish.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her congratulations to Indian athletes, including Mirabai Chanu, for their impressive medal-winning performances on Day 4 of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She highlighted significant achievements such as Chanu's silver in weightlifting, ending a 28-year drought, and historic bronze medals in shooting and soft tennis.
Indian teenager Joga Purty has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Asian Games women's speed climbing event, finishing ninth in the qualification round.
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu advanced to the second round of the Arctic Open Super 500 tournament in Finland. While Sindhu secured a comfortable win, other Indian shuttlers like Unnati Hooda, Ashmita Chaliha, and Malvika Bansod faced defeats, marking a mixed day for the contingent. Tharun Mannepalli and Rounak Chouhan, however, successfully entered the men's singles main draw.
Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth lauded the Indian Army's Mission Olympic Wing for its role in developing talented sportspersons, citing their strong performance at the recent Asian Games as a precursor to success at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Army felicitated its 20 medal winners from the Asian Games, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing future athletes.
Indian shot putter Manpreet Kaur secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games with a throw of 17.17m. Chinese athletes Song Jiayuan and Zhang Linru won the gold and silver respectively. This adds to Kaur's recent international success, following a bronze at the 2023 Asian Championships.
The Sports Ministry has removed para-shooting coach Jai Prakash Nautiyal from India's Para Asian Games contingent following allegations of kickbacks and protests from athletes. The contingent of 166 athletes and 109 support staff is set to compete in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, starting October 18, with several prominent Paralympians included despite selection controversies.
Indian table tennis players Manush Shah and Diya Chitale defeated Hong Kong's World No. 4 pair Doo Hoi Kem and Wong Chun Ting in the quarterfinals of the Asian Games mixed doubles event, assuring India of a medal. This marks India's first table tennis medal at the current edition and only the second mixed doubles medal in Asian Games history. They are set to face China in the semifinals.
India commenced its Asian Para Games campaign with a spectacular performance, securing 11 medals, including four gold, across various sports on Monday. Notable victories came from shooter Mona Agarwal, long jumper Nishad Kumar, middle-distance runner Soumya, and javelin thrower Rinku, with archer Sheetal Devi also setting world records. The medal haul places India fourth in the overall standings.
IOA chief PT Usha met the Indian Cricket Team after their thrilling win over Pakistan to win the Asian Games gold medal in Nisshin on Saturday.
Seven para-cyclists, recommended by the national federation for the Asian Para Games, were largely omitted by the Sports Ministry, with only one receiving approval. The excluded athletes are planning a protest, alleging discrimination, while the Sports Authority of India (SAI) maintains selections were based strictly on performance criteria.
Despite limited opportunities in the playing XI, India skipper Shreyas Iyer has expressed strong confidence in young cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, stating that the 15-year-old's time to dominate Indian cricket will come.
Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi will not attend the Asian Games 2026 gold medal cricket match between India and Pakistan due to prior commitments. His absence helps avoid a potential protocol conflict given the ongoing tensions with the BCCI regarding trophy presentations.
Indian men's hockey team goalkeeper Suraj Karkera commented on Pakistan's withdrawal from the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) Punjab 2026. While acknowledging that fans will miss the intense rivalry, Karkera stated the Indian team remains focused on performing their best. Bangladesh has replaced Pakistan in the tournament, where India, fresh off their Asian Games gold, will enter as top-ranked contenders.
The Indian women's kabaddi team secured a dominant 48-24 victory over Nepal, advancing to the Asian Games final and maintaining their unbeaten streak. They are now poised to win their fourth consecutive gold medal in the event, continuing their historical dominance since women's kabaddi was introduced in 2010.
