India's Stellar Performance at the 2026 Asian Games: Double Gold in Kabaddi, Key Medals in Athletics and Shooting
On September 26, 2026, India won 7 medals—2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze—at the Asian Games, bringing its total medal tally to 30. India secured two gold medals by defeating Iran in both men's and women's kabaddi. Sawan Barwal won silver in the marathon with a national record, and Tajinderpal Singh Toor won silver in the shot put. The women's 50m rifle 3P team won silver, while India also made significant strides in hockey, badminton, and squash.
On September 26, 2026—the seventh day of the Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan—India won 7 medals: 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze. Following this day's performance, India's total medal count reached 30 (4 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze).
Double Gold in Kabaddi:
The Indian men's and women's kabaddi teams won gold medals by defeating Iran 40-34 and 37-34, respectively. This marked the men's team's second consecutive gold at the Asian Games, while the women's team secured its fourth gold medal. This also highlights the intense kabaddi rivalry between India and Iran.
Sawan Barwal's Achievement in Athletics:
Indian runner Sawan Barwal won the silver medal in the men's marathon with a time of 2:11:37, setting a new national record. This achievement is particularly significant as it ended India's long medal drought in the men's marathon at the Asian Games, dating back to 1982. Japan's Ichitaka Yamashita won the gold medal.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor's Silver in Shot Put:
Tajinderpal Singh Toor won the silver medal in the men's shot put event with a best throw of 20.64 meters. He had previously won gold medals at the 2018 Jakarta and 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. This achievement highlights his consistency at the Asian Games and the strength of Indian athletics.
Silver for Women's 50m Rifle 3P Team in Shooting:
The Indian team comprising Tilottama Sen, Vidarsha Vinod Kochlumakal, and Ashi Chouksey won the silver medal in the women's 50m rifle 3-position team event, scoring 1763 points. China won the gold with 1773 points, while Kazakhstan secured the bronze with 1754 points. This event involves shooting in kneeling, prone, and standing positions.
India's Progress in Other Sports:
India delivered impressive performances across several sports, including hockey, badminton, squash, boxing, archery, and athletics. The men's hockey team secured a spot in the semi-finals by defeating Japan 2-0, while Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh advanced to the squash finals. These performances reflect the broader context of the diversification of sports in India, high-level training, and competitive capability in international arenas.
