Asian Games 2026: India's double gold in kabaddi, double silver in track and field

Aichi-Nagoya, Japan: India enjoyed a strong medal-winning day at the Asian Games, with the men’s and women’s kabaddi teams clinching gold medals while athletics contributed two silver medals. Shooting added another silver, while Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar secured bronze in squash.

The Indian women’s kabaddi team successfully defended its Asian Games title, overcoming a tense and sometimes fractious final against Iran. With the contest threatening to spiral into chaos during the closing stages, the Indian players kept their composure to hold on for gold.

The men’s kabaddi team also finished on top of the podium after overcoming a determined challenge. India led after a closely fought first half before taking control after the break and eventually securing a 40-34 victory.

In athletics, Sawan Barwal won silver in the marathon, ending a 44-year wait for India to win a medal in the event at the Asian Games. Barwal clocked 2:11:37, improving his own national record by 21 seconds in the process.

Tajinderpal Singh Toor added another silver in the men’s shot put, ending his bid for a third consecutive Asian Games gold. Toor produced a best throw of 20.64m, finishing behind Iran’s Mohammadreza Tayebise, who won gold with a Games-record effort of 20.81m. Toor had previously won gold at the two preceding editions of the Asian Games.

India also secured silver in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event, with Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen and Vidarsa Vinod combining for a total of 1763. China won gold with 1773.

Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod and Ashi Chouksey

In squash, Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar settled for bronze in mixed doubles after losing a dramatic semifinal to Hong Kong’s Tang Ming Hong and Lee Ka Yi. The Indian pair went down 10-11, 11-2, 10-11 in a closely contested encounter.

The day’s haul reflected India’s strength across kabaddi, athletics, shooting and squash, with the two kabaddi golds providing the biggest highlights.

(The story has been generated with the help of AI) 

Tags : Kabaddi, Asian Games, Sawan Barwal, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Joshna Chinappa, Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen