India Seeks More Gold After Mixed Start at 2026 Asian Games

India’s women’s cricket gold has been the highlight of a mixed opening to the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. After four days of competition, the team had collected medals across several sports, but many of its leading contenders were still seeking gold.

The early results have drawn attention because India arrived in Japan hoping to build on its record 106 medals at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, including 28 golds. There is still considerable competition ahead, particularly in the team sports where India has made a strong start.

In badminton, India took bronze in the men’s team event after a 3-1 semifinal loss to China. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won their doubles match, but India could not secure another victory. The women’s team exited before the semifinals, with P.V. Sindhu losing a three-game match.

Shooting has produced silver and bronze medals, although Manu Bhaker, a two-time medalist at the Paris Olympics, missed the podium in the women’s 10-meter air pistol final. India also earned bronze medals in the men’s and women’s skeet team events.

India’s team performances have offered grounds for optimism. The women’s hockey side beat Thailand 20-1, with Deepika scoring eight goals for the second time in the tournament. The result brought her tally to 20 goals in three matches.

Both kabaddi teams also won their latest matches. The women defeated Iran 37-23, while the men beat Bangladesh 48-25. Iran won the women’s kabaddi gold at the 2018 Asian Games, making India’s victory a notable group-stage result.

Indian athletes advanced in several individual events. Boxer Ankush opened his men’s 80-kilogram campaign with a 5-0 decision over Hamsa Vogel. In squash, Abhay Singh won his opening match in straight games.

Wushu offers another chance for gold after Roshibina Devi reached the women’s 60-kilogram final, assuring India of at least a silver medal. India has also earned medals in mixed martial arts and soft tennis, adding to its results beyond the sports in which it has traditionally been strongest.

With more events to come, India’s prospects of approaching its Hangzhou medal total will depend on converting those promising starts into podium finishes, particularly in hockey, kabaddi, shooting and other remaining competitions.

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