Indian contenders at the Asian Games produced an outstanding array of performances across multiple disciplines, lifting the nation's overall count to 17 medals. The collection currently stands at one gold, seven silver, and nine bronze medals. Breakthrough achievements arrived on the running track, at the shooting ranges, in open water racing, and inside the combat ring, while the country's traditional powerhouse outfits maintained their commanding form across team events.
Distance Running Podium Ends Long Wait
The track and field schedule opened on an exceptionally positive note for the contingent, highlighted by a gritty display in the women's 10,000 metres. Twenty-five-year-old Seema Kumari delivered a measured run, crossing the line in 32:50.05 to secure the bronze medal. Her performance earned India its first medal in this particular distance event at the continental gathering since 2010. During the 2010 edition, Preeja Sreedharan had captured the gold medal while Kavita Raut earned silver. In this race, Bahraini competitor Winfred Yavi clocked 32:39.18 to claim the gold medal, with Nozomi Tanaka of Japan taking the silver medal in 32:41.54.
Relay Drama Settles With Official Silver
The mixed 4x400m relay final provided considerable excitement followed by a tense period of waiting. The Indian quartet featuring TS Manu, MR Poovamma, Vishal TK, and Vithya Ramraj combined effectively to record a time of 3:14.46, taking the second position across the finish line. Bahrain walked away with the gold medal after establishing a new Games record mark of 3:12.87.
Shortly after the conclusion of the event, the classification was temporarily held up due to an official objection submitted by the UAE contingent. After technical scrutiny of the race, match officials disqualified the UAE team, thereby validating India's second-place finish and confirming their silver medal. The outcome marked the country's third straight medal in this mixed relay race, following a gold in 2018 and a silver in the subsequent edition.
Historic Marks In Skeet Shooting
Precision shooters maintained the team's momentum as the mixed team skeet combination of Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Parinaaz Dhaliwal captured a historic bronze medal. This marked the very first time an Indian pairing reached the podium in the mixed team skeet category at the Asian Games.
The result also capped a remarkable 48-hour run for the nation's skeet contingent, which accumulated three medals across the discipline. Earlier in the program, the men's trio consisting of Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Bhavtegh Singh Gill, and Mairaj Ahmad Khan took home a bronze medal. Their female counterparts, Parinaaz Dhaliwal, Raiza Dhillon, and Maheshwari Chauhan, mirrored that achievement by also winning a bronze medal in their team classification.
Wushu Milestone For Roshibina Devi
In combat sports, wushu exponent Roshibina Devi Naorem cemented her position among the most accomplished athletes in her discipline by securing her second consecutive Asian Games silver medal. Facing home favourite Zhang Xiaoyu of China in the women's 60kg sanda title clash, Roshibina fell short by a 0-2 margin (conceding 10-0 in total points).
Despite the final defeat, the podium appearance confirmed Roshibina as India's most successful wushu athlete in the history of the Games, having amassed three career medals: a bronze in 2018, followed by silver in 2023 and silver at this edition. Notably, Roshibina had originally missed out on selection during the initial qualifying trials, but an unfortunate injury to Divyanshi Choudhary opened up a roster spot, which she converted into a podium finish.
Pioneering Rowing Bronze In Double Sculls
Indian rowers also penned a fresh chapter on the water. In the men's double sculls final, Satnam Singh and Salman Khan clocked 6:13.25 to secure third place and take home the bronze medal. The effort gave India its maiden Asian Games medal in this specific rowing boat class.
The duo mounted a strong initial push, holding second position through the opening 1,500 metres of the race. However, over the final 500-metre stretch, their pace eased slightly as competing boats pressed forward, leaving the Indian pair in third place. China claimed top honours with the gold medal, while Uzbekistan crossed the line ahead of India to take silver.
Field Events And Sprint Qualifiers
In field events, Asha Elango experienced an agonisingly close finish in the women's triple jump. Her best leap measured 13.83 metres, matching the top mark produced by China's Yi Li. With the top marks tied, officials evaluated the secondary attempts; the Chinese competitor's second-best jump of 13.79 metres eclipsed Asha's 13.65 metres, relegating the Indian athlete to fourth place and just outside the medals.
On the sprint straight, male sprinters made positive strides in the 100 metres heats. Animesh Kujur stopped the clock at 10.36 seconds, while national record holder Gurindervir Singh registered a time of 10.38 seconds, steering both sprinters safely into the semi-final rounds.
Unbeaten Runs In Hockey And Kabaddi
Team disciplines saw Indian squads dominate their respective encounters. The men's hockey side produced a scoring masterclass, dismantling Korea 8-2. Dilpreet Singh spearheaded the rout with a hat-trick, finding the target in the 10th, 26th, and 32nd minutes. Abhishek contributed two strikes, while Shilanand Lakra, Harmanpreet Singh, and Rajinder Singh added a goal each. The commanding victory represented the squad's third straight win, cementing their place atop Pool A.
On the kabaddi mat, the reigning champion sides took further steps toward defending their crowns. The men's team overcame Chinese Taipei with a 37-21 scoreline, while the women's squad outclassed Japan 50-25. Both victories propelled the respective lineups into the semi-finals, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal for each squad.
Squash Contenders Advance To Quarter-Finals
Squash courts witnessed further progression for the Indian delegation. In the women's singles draw, Anahat Singh recorded a convincing 3-0 victory against Au Yeong Wai Yhann of Singapore. Tanvi Khanna also advanced by overcoming Au Yeong Wai Hann 3-1, setting up an all-Indian quarter-final showdown between the two teammates. In men's singles, Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani triumphed in their respective assignments to seal spots in the final eight, while the mixed doubles tandem of Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar also booked their place in the quarter-finals.
