India bow out of Asian Games men’s volleyball after Pakistan defeat
India's Asian Games 2026 campaign ends in the volleyball quarterfinals following a straight-sets defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan.
The Indian men's volleyball team's journey at the Asian Games 2026 came to a heartbreaking conclusion on Thursday. In a high-stakes quarterfinal clash held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, India suffered a straight-sets defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Pakistan, ending their hopes of a podium finish in the tournament.
A Battle of Errors and Momentum
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, India could not overcome Pakistan's clinical execution. The match ended 0-3, with the set scores reading 19-25, 23-25, and 18-25.
The opening set saw India fighting tooth and nail, remaining competitive throughout the early stages. However, a decisive five-point scoring run by Pakistan shifted the momentum irrevocably, allowing them to seize control and close out the set 25-19.
The second set was perhaps the most agonizing for the Indian side. India appeared to be on the verge of a comeback, leading 19-16 and looking poised to level the match. Yet, a series of critical errors at a vital juncture allowed Pakistan to claw back. The set ended 25-23, leaving the Indian squad with their backs against the wall.
With no room for error in the final set, India struggled to find their rhythm. Pakistan maintained their dominance, sealing the quarterfinal victory with an 18-25 win in the third set.
Silver Linings: Sepaktakraw and Individual Successes
While the volleyball team's campaign ended, the day brought significant triumphs in other disciplines. In men's sepaktakraw, India secured a guaranteed medal after a convincing 2-0 victory over Vietnam in their Group A quadrant match. This win marked India's second consecutive victory, propelling them into the semifinals.
Individual athletes also shone in the combat sports arena:
- Wrestling: Mansi, a former World Championship bronze medallist, stormed into the women's 62kg quarterfinals. She dominated Kazakhstan's Irina Kuznetsova with a 6-1 scoreline and will now face South Korea's Jo Su-been.
- Judo: Yamini Mourya advanced to the women's 57kg quarterfinals after a commanding ippon victory over Qatar's Fatena Bu-Qahoos. She is set to face Mongolia's Ariunzaya Terbish in the next round.
Setbacks in Archery and Taekwondo
It was not all smooth sailing, as India faced tough losses in other combat and precision sports. In archery, Chikitha Taniparthi narrowly missed out on the compound women's individual quarterfinals, losing 143-144 to Indonesia's Nurisa Dian Ashrifah. Meanwhile, in taekwondo, Rupa Bayor finished 15th in the women's individual poomsae semifinals.
In cycling, Harshveer Singh Sekhon finished 10th in the opening race of the men's omnium, currently sitting on 22 points with three races remaining in the competition.
India's Medal Tally
As the games progress into Day 12, India holds the eighth position in the overall medal standings. The nation has amassed a total of 60 medals, consisting of 10 gold, 21 silver, and 29 bronze.