India's Mixed Results in Wrestling and Triumphs in Archery at Asian Games

India's participation in the Asian Games 2026 has seen a blend of outcomes, with Nisha Dahiya exiting early in wrestling while Sunil Kumar advances to the semifinals. In archery, the women's compound team secured a gold medal against China, marking a significant achievement. Additionally, the women's squash team has reached the semifinals after defeating Singapore. This article highlights the key moments and performances from India's campaign at the Games.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 30, 2026, 09:10 IST

Wrestling: A Mixed Start for India

India's wrestling journey at the Asian Games began with mixed outcomes. Nisha Dahiya faced an early exit in the women's freestyle 68 kg category, losing in the round of 16. She was defeated 4-0 by North Korea's Pak Sol Gum, despite the match being tied at 4-4. Pak secured the win by scoring a technically superior point worth four in the first round, while Nisha managed to score two points in each of the subsequent rounds, according to ESPN.

In contrast, Sunil Kumar advanced to the semifinals in the men's greco-roman 87 kg category. He dominated his match against Muhammad Sultonzoda, winning by technical superiority with a score of 4-0, without allowing his opponent to score any points.

Archery: Women's Compound Team Shines

Earlier in the day, the Indian women's compound archery team, consisting of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Prithika Pradeep, clinched a remarkable gold medal by defeating China in the finals. The final score was 238-234, showcasing the team's exceptional performance. This victory marked Jyothi's fourth gold at the Asian Games and the first for both Chikitha and Prithika in their debut appearances.

With this win, India has now secured a total of seven gold medals at the Asian Games, bringing their overall medal tally to 53, which includes 21 silvers and 25 bronzes. The Indian archers matched South Korea's world record of 238 points set in 2014 to achieve this gold medal.

The match began with China scoring three nines, totaling 27 points in the first rotation, while India took an early lead with three tens, finishing the first rotation at 30-27. China attempted to recover in the second rotation, but India maintained their lead at 60-57. By the end of the third rotation, India was ahead 89-87, and they continued to extend their lead, ultimately finishing strong with perfect scores in the final round.

Squash: Women's Team Advances

The Indian women's squash team also made headlines by securing a medal at the Asian Games 2026. They triumphed over Singapore with a 2-0 victory in the quarterfinals. The semifinal opponent is yet to be determined.

Tanvi Khanna initiated the winning streak by defeating Wai Iynn Au Yeong in a challenging match, finishing with a score of 3-1. Anahat Singh then solidified India's position by winning her match 3-0 against Wai Yhann Au Yeong, ensuring the team's advancement to the semifinals.