Indian Sailor Harshita Tomar Aims for 2028 Olympics After Asian Games Bronze

Indian sailor Harshita Tomar has returned home with a bronze medal from the Asian Games, marking her second medal at the event. Alongside her partner Shital Verma, they secured their place on the podium after a disqualification of a competing team. Harshita reflects on her journey, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and coordination. With aspirations now focused on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, both sailors express gratitude for the support received from their coaches and organizations. Coach Varun Thakkar also shares pride in the team's achievements, highlighting their growth and experience gained during the competition. Read on to discover more about their inspiring journey and future goals.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 8, 2026, 02:33 IST

Harshita Tomar's Return with Bronze Medal

On Wednesday, Indian sailor Harshita Tomar made her way back to India, proudly holding her second bronze medal from the Asian Games. With her sights now set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she expressed her determination to tackle the next challenge ahead. Harshita, alongside her 19-year-old teammate Shital Verma, secured bronze in the women's skiff event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The Indian pair moved up to third place after the disqualification of China's Xiaoyu Hu and Yuyue Sun. Initially, they finished fourth with 24 net points and 28 total points after nine races, but the disqualification allowed them to claim the bronze medal.

Upon landing at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, Harshita reflected on her achievement, recalling her previous disappointment of finishing fourth in the last edition. "It feels really good. This is my second Asian Games medal. I got bronze in 2018, and I came in fourth at the 2022 Asian Games, which was really disappointing. I fought hard right up to the end this time too, and then got the bronze," she shared.

Importance of Coordination

The 24-year-old sailor, who began her journey in the Narmada River in Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh, emphasized the significance of teamwork with Shital. "On the boat, coordination between the two of us matters a lot—how we think, what our mindset is, what information our coach gives us, and how we execute it. Everything adds up to our performance in the races, and that's what ultimately shows our results. So, understanding your partner and having great coordination is super important," she explained.

Future Aspirations: LA Olympics

Harshita, who is also affiliated with the Indian Navy, acknowledged the support from the organization and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). She stated, "From here on, we'll first focus on the Nationals. After that, we'll fully prepare for the LA Olympics qualifiers and the next Asian Games." Shital, celebrating her first Asian Games medal, also expressed gratitude for the backing she received from the Indian Navy, SAI, her family, coaches, and friends. "I'm feeling very good. Everyone here welcomed me very warmly. It feels really great; I'm feeling very special," she said.

Coach's Impact on Performance

Shital highlighted the crucial role of their coach, Varun Thakkar, who provided guidance throughout their campaign. "His role was the main one, because he was with us in the water the whole time. He trained us a lot. We sailed continuously. In Japan too, the wind was pretty normal at the start, and then it got a bit heavy. We experienced almost all conditions. He didn't put much mental pressure on us either. He told us to sail freely and just give our best," she noted.

Proud Coach Reflects on Achievements

Thakkar, a former Olympian and 2018 Asian Games bronze medallist, expressed pride in the Indian sailing team's accomplishments, which included three medals from Aichi-Nagoya. "I feel like after so many years being part of the sport, I think every year we have only been getting more and more medals for sailing. I did it in 2018. In 2022, I had a very bad year, but the team won medals. And again we come back here with three medals, and I think that's phenomenal for the sport," he remarked. He praised Harshita and Shital for their composure under pressure, noting their teamwork and experience. "I think we gained about two years of experience just in these two weeks of competition and that's good for us," he concluded.