AICHI-NAGOYA, Sept 28: India added seven medals to its tally at the 2026 Asian Games on Sunday, with squash and athletics accounting for the bulk of the country’s gains as the competition entered its second week in Japan.
The Indian contingent collected two silver medals in squash, five medals in athletics and also secured three additional boxing medals through semifinal berths. The day’s haul took India’s overall medal count to 37, comprising four gold, 16 silver and 17 bronze medals.
The most notable performances came from 18 year old Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh, who both finished with silver medals in the individual squash competitions. Anahat became the first Indian woman to win a singles silver medal at the Asian Games after losing the women’s final to Malaysia’s Sivasangari Subramaniam in straight games.
Anahat’s run represented another significant step in her young international career. She entered the final against the Malaysian top seed after a strong tournament campaign but was unable to prevent Sivasangari from securing the gold medal.
Abhay Singh also finished second in the men’s singles competition after being defeated by Malaysia’s Eain Yow Ng. The Malaysian secured an 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 victory to win his third consecutive Asian Games singles gold.
The two squash silver medals provided India with its first significant returns from the individual events, while the athletics programme generated five more podium finishes.
Ancy Sojan secured silver in the women’s long jump with a best effort of 6.53 metres. The result added another Asian Games medal to her record after she had also won silver in the previous edition.
Sarvesh Anil Kushare also finished with silver, ending India’s 56-year wait for a men’s high-jump medal at the Asian Games. His performance added another field-event medal to the Indian contingent’s growing collection in Aichi-Nagoya.
Parul Chaudhary claimed bronze in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. She clocked 9:08.67, adding to her medal tally at the continental event and providing India with another podium finish in distance running.
Tejaswin Shankar earned bronze in the men’s decathlon. The result marked his second Asian Games medal after he had previously won silver at the last edition.
Harita Bhadra completed India’s athletics medal haul for the day by taking bronze in the women’s 200 metres. Her performance gave India a further sprint medal and contributed to a productive day for the track and field contingent.
The boxing competition also moved into an important stage for India. Ankush Panghal, Parveen Hooda and Narender Berwal reached the semifinals, thereby assuring themselves of medals. Their progress strengthened India’s position in a discipline that has traditionally contributed significantly to the country’s Asian Games campaign.
The day’s results came after India’s women’s cricket team had already secured the country’s first gold medal of the Games earlier in the competition. The women’s T20 side defeated Sri Lanka in the final, while the men’s badminton team had also secured a medal after advancing from the team event.
India’s performance on September 27, however, came without another gold medal. The seven-medal haul consisted of two silver medals from squash and five medals from athletics. The result left India with four golds, 16 silvers and 17 bronzes at the end of the day.
The focus now shifts to a packed September 28 schedule, with several major Indian athletes entering medal events and knockout stages. Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Rahi Sarnobat are scheduled to compete in the women’s 25m pistol events, while athletics features Avinash Sable, Murali Sreeshankar, Parul Chaudhary and Rohit Yadav among the Indian competitors.
The men’s cricket team is also scheduled to begin its Asian Games campaign in the quarterfinal against Afghanistan. The Indian side, led by Shreyas Iyer, enters the knockout stage as the defending champion and will be looking to progress to the semifinals.
The cricket quarterfinal is being played against the backdrop of persistent rain in Nagoya. Weather conditions have already affected matches during the tournament, adding another element of uncertainty to the knockout fixture.
India will also have representation in boxing, hockey, archery, surfing, shooting and other disciplines on Monday. Lovlina Borgohain and other Indian boxers are scheduled for quarterfinal action, while the men’s hockey team will face Bangladesh in a Pool A match.
With the Games continuing until October 4, India’s medal campaign remains active across a wide range of sports. The performances of Anahat Singh, Abhay Singh and the athletics contingent on September 27 added seven medals to the tally, while the progress of three boxers created further medal opportunities for the days ahead.