India Wins Six Medals as Hockey and Cricket Reach Finals
India secures two silver and four bronze medals at the Asian Games 2026, while hockey and cricket teams advance to the gold medal matches.
It was a blockbuster Day 12 for the Indian contingent at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, as the nation secured six confirmed medals and saw two major team sports march into their respective gold-medal showdowns. India's medal haul for the day included two silver and four bronze medals, driven by standout performances in wrestling, sailing, squash, and archery.
Wrestling and Sailing Lead the Medal Tally
In the wrestling arena, Nitesh Siwach delivered a gritty performance in the men's 97kg Greco-Roman category to claim a silver medal. Siwach faced off against Japan's Yuri Nakazato in a high-stakes gold medal bout. Despite a strong defensive effort, Siwach struggled after being penalized for passivity in the opening round. Nakazato eventually controlled the tempo, securing the gold, while Siwach settled for a well-earned silver.
The sailing events also proved fruitful for India. In the men's skiff event, the duo of Manu Francis and Prince Noble clinched the silver medal. Competing in the 49er class, the pair showed remarkable consistency across nine races, finishing second only to China. In the women's skiff event, Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma secured a bronze medal. Their podium finish came following the disqualification of the Chinese team, which moved the Indian pair from fourth to third place.
Squash and Archery Add to the Bronze Count
India's dominance extended to the squash courts, where two bronze medals were added to the tally. The women's team, featuring Anahat Singh, Joshana Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, and Shameena Riaz, earned bronze after a hard-fought 1-2 semifinal loss to Hong Kong. Similarly, the men's squash team—comprising Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, Velavan Senthilkumar, and Suraj Kumar Chand—took home bronze after falling 1-2 to Malaysia.
In archery, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru continued his impressive run at the games. He secured a bronze medal in the men's compound individual event by defeating Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang with a score of 149-144. This marks Ganesh's second medal of the Aichi-Nagoya games.
Thrilling Comebacks and Final Bound Teams
The day was not just about medals, but also about the intense drama of reaching the finals. In Sepaktakraw, the Indian men's quadrant team ensured at least one more medal by reaching the semi-finals. After an unbeaten group stage, they staged a spectacular 2-1 comeback victory against Myanmar to top Group A.
However, the most electrifying moments came from the field and the turf:
- Men's Hockey: In a high-octane semifinal against arch-rivals Pakistan, India emerged victorious with a 4-3 win. Despite surrendering a three-goal lead, captain Harmanpreet Singh's two goals and a late, decisive strike by Abhishek sent the defending champions into the gold-medal match.
- Cricket: The Indian men's cricket team also successfully navigated their way into the final, setting the stage for a massive showdown for the gold.