China Dominates Asian Games Opening Day as India Wins Two Silvers

China asserted its continental sporting dominance by winning 11 of the 30 gold medals awarded on the opening day of competition at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture.

Host nation Japan ranked second with six gold medals, while the Republic of Korea was close behind with four.

India, seeking to improve its standing at the continental event, ended the day with two silver medals in the women’s 10-meter air rifle competition, one each in the individual and team events. The Indian contingent also faced a setback after mixed martial arts fighter Varun Sanyal withdrew from the competition on medical grounds.

India’s hockey teams began their campaigns with commanding victories. The women defeated Kazakhstan 19-0, while the men recorded a 13-1 win over Indonesia despite conceding a goal. In women’s cricket, Shafali’s century helped India defeat Bangladesh by 114 runs.

The Indian women’s badminton team also made a strong start, securing a 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan in the team event.

Concerns were raised over the circumstances surrounding Sanyal’s medical condition. The athlete reportedly lost consciousness in a sauna and was assisted by a Nepalese athlete, who took him to the medical room. Reports indicated that no Indian team official was with Sanyal when he passed out.

In a statement, the Indian Olympic Association said Sanyal “suffered from generalized cramps and body aches while in the sauna last evening in his cruise accommodation. He underwent a medical examination and precautionary blood tests, which were normal. Despite rest, the following morning, he felt not fully fit to participate in a combat sport. After consultation with his coach, he withdrew on medical grounds.”

The incident brought renewed attention to the risks associated with rapid weight reduction in combat sports. It also recalled the experience of Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she was disqualified from the gold medal match after exceeding the permitted weight limit.

Athletes in combat sports frequently compete in categories below their natural body weight. “Wrestlers usually participate in a weight category lower than their natural weight. It gives them an advantage since they are fighting less strong opponents. The process of weight cutting involves a calculated restriction of food and water, along with sweating through exercise and sauna use, until the morning weigh-in.”

Experts say rapid weight reduction can cause weakness and energy depletion, potentially affecting an athlete’s performance. After the weigh-in, athletes are typically given limited amounts of water and high-energy foods to restore energy. Vinesh’s nutritionist had estimated that this process would add 1.5 kilograms to her weight. Athletes may also experience additional weight gain after competing.

Sanyal was reportedly attempting to reduce his weight before his event and entered the sauna without an escort. Prolonged exposure is believed to have contributed to his condition, raising questions about athlete supervision and whether lessons from previous incidents have been adequately addressed.

Earlier, shooter Elavenil Valarivan secured India’s first medal of the Games. She finished a narrow second to Japan’s Hinata Taichi in the women’s 10-meter air rifle individual event, scoring 252.4 points against Hinata’s 253.

Elavenil later partnered with Vinod Vidarsa Kochalumkal and Sonam Uttam Maskar to win India’s second silver medal in the team event. The Indian trio finished with 1,898 points, while China won gold with a world-record score of 1,904.2.

In women’s hockey, Deepika led India’s 19-0 victory over Kazakhstan with eight goals, including a hat trick. Ishika, Navneet, Neha and Lalthantluangi scored two goals each, while Sakshi Rana, Lalremsiami and Baljeet Kaur added one apiece.

In the men’s competition, Indonesia’s Al Ardha Aulia scored from a penalty corner against India. Dilpreet Singh led India’s 13-1 victory with four goals, while Sukhjeet Singh scored twice. Shilanand Lakra, Jugraj Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Abhishek, Rajinder Singh and Mandeep Singh also contributed goals.

Related posts:

Canada’s Win Highlights Midway Stage as Kingsbury Claims Gold at Milano Cortina 2026 USA Ends 46-Year Wait for Men’s Ice Hockey Gold as Norway Tops Milano Cortina 2026 Medal Table Norway Dominates Milano Cortina 2026 as Klæbo Makes History  Milano Cortina 2026 Day 7: Klaebo Ties Winter Olympic Gold Record, Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov Wins Gold