India's Athletics Team Shines at Asian Games 2026: Silver and Bronze Medals Galore!
India's Medal Achievements in Athletics
Nagoya: Ancy Sojan, a long jumper, and high jumper Sarvesh Kushare brought excitement to India's athletics campaign at the Asian Games, each securing a silver medal and contributing to a total of five medals for the country on a fruitful Sunday.
In addition, decathlete Tajaswin Shankar, 3000m steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, and 200m sprinter Harita Bhadra each earned bronze medals, raising India's athletics tally to 13 (6 silver, 7 bronze) at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium, which faced persistent rain for the second consecutive day.
The Indian athletics squad, consisting of 75 members, is still on the hunt for a gold medal with just two days remaining in the competition.
Ancy, aged 25, was close to clinching her first Asian Games gold with a jump of 6.53m in her fifth attempt, but China's Huang Yingying edged her out with a final jump of 6.55m.
"It’s a bit heartbreaking to miss out by just 2cm. I was leading until the last moment, but fate had other plans. Today wasn’t my day," Ancy, who holds the national record of 6.88m, expressed her disappointment.
"However, I’m proud to have medaled in both my Asian Games appearances. This isn’t the end; I will return stronger."
Shaili Singh, another competitor, initially held the bronze position with a jump of 6.42m but was pushed to fourth after the final attempt by the gold medalist from China.
In the men's high jump, Kushare was in contention for gold against Chao-hsuan Fu from Chinese Taipei. Kushare cleared 2.22m on his first attempt, while Fu succeeded on his second attempt.
The competition intensified when the bar was raised to 2.25m, where Kushare needed two attempts to clear it, while Fu managed it on his first try.
Both athletes failed to clear 2.28m in three attempts, leading to Fu winning gold on countback, with Kushare taking silver.
"This medal is significant for me, as such events occur every four years. You never know what can happen in that time," Kushare reflected, having finished fourth in the previous edition.
"I aimed for gold, especially after winning silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, but I’m content with this medal as it boosts my confidence moving forward."
Tejaswin Shankar added another bronze to his collection, having previously won silver in the last edition. He scored 7934 points in the demanding decathlon, while Japan's Maruyama secured gold with 8123 points and China's Chen X took silver with 8012 points.
"I feel like I lost a silver rather than won a bronze," Tajaswin remarked, noting his rigorous training schedule since January.
Parul set a new national record of 9:08.67 in the 3000m steeplechase, earning bronze, having previously won silver in the same event.
Bahrain's Winfred Yavi won gold, finishing ahead of Kazakhstan's Norah Jeruto Tanui (9:06.82).
Earlier, Harita Bhadra secured bronze in the women's 200m with a time of 23.20 seconds, narrowly beating Japan's Ido Abigeirufuka, who clocked 23.21 seconds. Singapore's Shanti Pereira won gold with a season-best of 22.78 seconds, while China's Chen Yujie took silver in 22.93 seconds.
Unnathi Aiyappa Bolland, another Indian competitor, finished sixth with a time of 23.48 seconds.
Bhadra's participation was confirmed at the last minute, and she seized the opportunity.
Originally not part of the Indian athletics team, she was added after the Indian Olympic Association's request was approved by the event organizers. She and five other athletes received clearance from the sports ministry on September 2.
"I anticipated a close race, so I was determined to fight until the end for a strong finish. I aimed to enjoy the race without pressure, knowing I had prepared well," Bhadra shared.
"This medal means everything to me as it’s my first time representing India."
Last year, she graduated from Loughborough University in the UK with a BSc in Sports Science, Coaching, and Physical Education.
In other events, long jumpers Murali Sreeshankar and David Solomon, along with 400m hurdlers Santhosh Tamilrasan, Vithya Ramaraj, and Anu Raghavan, advanced to the finals of their respective events.
Sreeshankar achieved a best jump of 7.84m, finishing second in qualification, while Solomon's 7.62m placed him seventh, both qualifying for the men's long jump final.
In the men's 400m hurdles, Santhosh finished second in his heat with a time of 49.61 seconds to qualify for the final.
However, Yashas Palaksha, competing in the second heat, did not finish after pulling up before the first hurdle.
Both Indian women advanced automatically in the 400m hurdles after finishing second in their heats, with Vithya clocking 55.73 seconds and Anu timing 55.84 seconds.