India Secures Bronze in Sepaktakraw at Asian Games 2026
India's men's sepaktakraw quadrant secures a bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya after a hard-fought semifinal against Japan.
The Indian contingent found a moment of triumph in the sepaktakraw arena at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026. Despite a challenging semifinal encounter, the Indian men's quadrant fought valiantly to secure a bronze medal, ensuring the nation's medal tally continued to climb during the continental spectacle.
Hard-Fought Semifinal Against Japan
The Indian men's squad, consisting of Malemnganba Singh Sorokhaibam, Ram Kumar Sharma, Bobby Kumar, and Akash Yumnam, faced off against a formidable Japan side in the semifinals on Friday. While the Indian quartet showed immense grit, they ultimately fell short in the match, losing 0-2 with set scores of 12-15 and 13-15.
However, the defeat did not dampen the spirits of the team, as their journey to the podium was marked by significant achievements. Earlier in the tournament, the Indian side pulled off a massive upset by defeating the World Cup champions, Myanmar, during the group stages. This victory was instrumental in propelling them into the medal rounds and ensuring they would not return home empty-handed.
A Growing Legacy in Sepaktakraw
This bronze medal marks a significant milestone for Indian sepaktakraw on the international stage. It is the third time the nation has stood on the podium in this discipline at the Asian Games:
- 2018 Jakarta Edition: Bronze in the men's team regu.
- 2022 Edition: Bronze in the women's team regu.
- 2026 Aichi-Nagoya: Bronze in the men's quadrant.
A Landmark Day for Indian Athletes
The sepaktakraw success came amidst a whirlwind of achievements for India at the Aichi-Nagoya Games. The day was highlighted by several historic performances across various disciplines:
Archery Breakthroughs
In a historic moment for Indian archery, the women's recurve team of Kumkum Mohod, Ankita Bhakat, and Kirti Sharma stunned the powerhouse South Korean side with a 5-3 victory in the gold medal match. This marked India's first-ever gold in this discipline at the Asian Games. The 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod emerged as the hero, delivering two decisive 10s in the final moments to clinch the win.
The archery success continued with:
- Mixed Recurve Team: Kumkum Mohod and Dhiraj Bommadevara secured a silver medal after a close 3-5 loss to China.
- Men's Recurve Team: Dhiraj Bommadevara, Yashdeep Sanjay Bhoge, and Neeraj Chauhan earned a silver medal after falling 1-5 to South Korea.
Boxing and Sailing Glory
The boxing ring also saw celebrations as Lovlina Borgohain marked her 29th birthday with a spectacular gold medal win. She dominated China's Bao Ziyi with a 5-0 scoreline in the women's 75kg final.
In sailing, Nethra Kumanan added to India's impressive haul by securing a bronze medal in the women's dinghy event. After a difficult start, Kumanan staged a brilliant recovery in the final race, eventually winning the bronze via head-to-head results against Hong Kong's Stephanie Louise Norton.
As the games progress, India's medal count has reached 72, comprising 12 golds, 25 silvers, and 34 bronzes.