Indian athletes are entering the sixth day of competition at the continental sports gathering in Aichi-Nagoya with strong momentum across multiple arenas. The contingent has amassed 17 medals so far, comprising 1 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze, placing India at the 15th spot on the overall standings. September 25 presents a jam-packed schedule where several high-stakes fixtures, particularly in precision shooting, kabaddi knockouts, and track events, could significantly elevate India's position on the leaderboard.
Dominant Precision on the Shooting Range
Early action from the shooting range delivered immediate promise in the mixed team qualification rounds. Competing in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, the pairing of Kamaljeet and Suruchi delivered a remarkably composed sequence of shots. Across their opening series of 20 attempts, the duo compiled an impressive score of 196 points. They sustained that sharpness in the second block of 20 shots, securing 195 points. With just 20 shots remaining in the qualification phase, Kamaljeet and Suruchi firmly occupy the top spot, placing them in prime contention to fight directly for the gold medal.
Kabaddi Squads Eye Direct Entry into Gold Clashes
The kabaddi mats will host crucial encounters as both the Indian men's and women's contingents prepare for their respective semifinal ties. Following a spotless run through the earlier stages, both lineups have set their eyes firmly on securing spots in the gold medal fixtures. The women's side is scheduled to meet Nepal in their final-four clash, beginning at 9:30 AM Indian Standard Time. Shortly after, the men's squad will step out to take on Thailand at 10:45 AM IST. Fulfilling the expectations of their dominant history, both squads are aiming for nothing less than decisive victories to advance.
Commanding Starts on Badminton and Table Tennis Courts
Racket sports provided an equally bright opening to the day. Launching India's campaign in the badminton mixed doubles draw, Dhruv Kapila and Tanisha Crasto dismantled their first-round opposition in rapid fashion. Facing Aminath Abdul Razzaq and Nibal Ahmed of Maldives, the Indian duo dictated terms from the opening exchanges. After capturing the first game with an emphatic 21-8 margin, they tightened their defense to wrap up the second game 21-7, sealing a comprehensive straight-games victory. Concurrently, on the table tennis tables, Diya Chitale and Manush Shah registered an encouraging 11-6 win in the opening game against Hong Kong's formidable pairing of Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem in a contest pivotal to medal prospects.
Athletics and Weightlifting Medal Rounds in Focus
Track, field, and strength disciplines feature prominently on the schedule throughout the day. In the athletics arena, Manpreet Kaur and Krishna Jaishankar Menon are competing in the women's shot put final, while Sindhushree Ganesh and Baranica Elangoval contest the women's pole vault medal round. Long-distance running will see Commonwealth Games medalist Gulveer Singh tackle the demanding men's 10,000-meter race. Later in the evening at 5:10 PM IST, Damneet Singh and Praveen Kumar will contend in the men's hammer throw final. Over at the weightlifting stage, Nirupama Devi represents the country in the women's 61 kg category medal round.
