India Eyes Gold Rush: Archery, Hockey and Boxing in Spotlight
India eyes gold in archery, shooting, hockey, and boxing on Day 11 of the Asian Games 2026, with Olympic qualification spots on the line.
India enters an action-packed 11th day of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a massive multi-sport medal hunt underway. From the archery range to the hockey turf, Indian athletes are not just fighting for podium finishes but are also chasing prestigious LA 2028 Olympics qualification quotas.
Archery and Shooting: Chasing Olympic Dreams
The archery contingent is set for a high-stakes morning. The women's team, featuring Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep, and Chikitha Taniparthi, will face the formidable South Korean squad in the team semi-final at 5:55 AM. Success here could lead directly to gold and an Olympic berth.
In the compound categories, the stakes remain sky-high:
- Mixed Team: Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav will battle Thailand in the semi-finals at 7:55 AM.
- Men's Team: Sahil Jadhav, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, and Kushal Dalal face South Korea at 10:55 AM.
In shooting, gold medallist Neeru Dhanda looks to extend her winning streak. She returns to the arena alongside Kynan Chenai in the trap mixed-team qualification at 6:30 AM. Meanwhile, Anish Bhanwala will test his precision in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol event starting at 6:10 AM.
Hockey and Boxing: High-Pressure Showdowns
The Indian women's hockey team faces a defining moment in their campaign. Scheduled to play South Korea in the semi-final at 3:30 PM, a victory would significantly bolster their chances of securing a direct qualification spot for the LA 2028 Olympics.
In the boxing ring, three Indian stars are aiming for the finals:
- Priya Ghanghas faces China's Yang Chengyu in the women's 60kg semi-final at 10:15 AM.
- Lovlina Borgohain takes on Kazakhstan's Natalya Bogdanova in the 75kg semi-final at 10:45 AM.
- Kapil Pokhariya battles Uzbekistan's Turabek Khabibullaev in the men's 90kg semi-final at 12:00 PM.
Wrestling and Squash: The Campaign Begins
India's wrestling journey kicks off today with two major names in action. Nisha Dahiya will begin her pursuit of glory in the women's 68kg opening round against Pak Sol Gum of DPR Korea at 7:00 AM. Asian Games veteran Sunil Kumar will also compete in the men's Greco-Roman 87kg category.
In squash, the women's team, led by Anahat Singh and Joshna Chinappa, will face Singapore in the quarter-finals at 6:30 AM. The men's team, including Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani, will take on Kuwait later in the morning at 11:00 AM.
Tennis and Beyond
Tennis enthusiasts can look forward to Sumit Nagal competing in the men's singles third round. The doubles action also promises excitement, with Yuki Bhambri and Dhakshineswar Suresh featuring in crucial matches against Chinese Taipei and China respectively.
The day's diverse sporting schedule also includes participation in canoe slalom, judo, track cycling, and esports, ensuring India remains a dominant force across the multi-sport event.