India's Stellar Performance at Asian Games: Archery and Shooting Shine

India's Rise in Asian Games Medal Standings

On September 30, India made a significant leap to eighth place in the Asian Games medal tally, achieving a remarkable milestone of 10 gold medals. This surge was largely attributed to the exceptional performances of the compound archers and a gold medal in shooting.

Currently, India's overall medal count stands at 60, which includes 10 gold, 21 silver, and 29 bronze medals.

The compound archery events were particularly fruitful for India, as the nation secured gold in all three team competitions. Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai contributed to this success by winning gold in the mixed team trap event, while additional bronze medals in boxing and a bronze from Sunil Kumar in wrestling further enhanced India's medal tally.

The four gold medals earned on Wednesday propelled India up two spots in the standings, now sitting behind Bahrain, which has 11 golds, and ahead of Kazakhstan, which has 56 medals, including nine golds.

China continues to lead the medal table with an impressive 275 medals, comprising 150 gold, 66 silver, and 59 bronze. Japan follows in second place with 199 medals, while South Korea holds third with 102 medals.

The highlight of India's achievements on Wednesday was undoubtedly the compound archery, where the country swept all three team gold medals.

In the women's team event, Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi, and Prithika Pradeep initiated the gold rush by defeating China's team with a score of 238-234, equaling the world record and successfully defending their Asian Games title. Jadhav's flawless performance, hitting all 10s, was pivotal in this victory.

Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav later clinched the mixed team gold after a nail-biting final against South Korea's Jungyoon Park and Choi Eun Gyu, winning 158-157 in a shoot-off.

The men's team, consisting of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav, and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, completed the clean sweep by narrowly defeating China's team 238-237.

Chikitha and Sahil each ended the day with two gold medals, and their mixed team victory also secured India an Olympic quota for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where this event will debut.

In shooting, Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai overcame early challenges to secure gold in the mixed team trap event, with a score of 34 that surpassed the previous Asian Games record of 30. Qatar took silver with 32 points, while China earned bronze with 23 points. This marks India's first gold in the Trap Mixed Team event.

Wednesday's victories brought India's gold medal count at the Asian Games to nine, with three golds won on that day alone. Overall, India has now achieved 56 medals at the Asian Games 2026, including nine golds, 21 silvers, and 26 bronzes.

The shooting contingent has contributed significantly, with 15 medals in total, including three golds, eight silvers, and four bronzes. Neeru's dominant performance in the women's individual trap event on Tuesday was a highlight.

The four gold medals on Wednesday elevated India's gold count into double figures, solidifying its position in the overall medal standings.

In hockey, the Indian women's team triumphed over South Korea with a 2-0 victory in the semifinals, securing a spot in the gold medal match. After a scoreless first half, Ishika converted a penalty corner in the 43rd minute, followed by a second goal from Salima Tete in the 47th minute, sealing the win.

With this victory, India will face China in the final for the gold medal.

Additionally, India earned three bronze medals on Wednesday, with boxers Priya and Kapil Pokhariya, along with wrestler Sunil Kumar, finishing on the podium in their respective events.

Priya claimed bronze in the women's 60kg boxing category after losing to China's Yang Chengyu in the semifinals, while Kapil Pokhariya secured bronze in the men's 90kg category after a semifinal defeat against Uzbekistan's Turabek Khabibullaev. Sunil Kumar clinched bronze in the men's Greco-Roman 87kg category by defeating the Philippines' Callum Roberts.