New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): India produced a strong set of performances at the 2026 Asian Games on Friday, with shooters Kamaljeet and Suruchi Singh leading the way by securing gold in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.
The Indian pair bounced back from their individual disappointments to deliver a composed display in the mixed team competition. They finished with 484.6 points in the final, comfortably ahead of South Korea’s Suhyeon Hong and Gaeun Choo, who settled for silver with 478.0. Iran completed the podium with the bronze medal.
The result gave Kamaljeet and Suruchi a memorable turnaround after neither athlete managed to reach the individual medal rounds. Their successful partnership helped India add another shooting gold to its medal tally.
Silver for India in 50m rifle 3 positions
India also finished on the podium in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions team event.
Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar, Rudrankksh Patil and Niraj Kumar combined for a score of 1,762 points to take silver. China edged ahead with 1,766 points to win the team title, while South Korea finished third with 1,751.
Tomar and Niraj also progressed to the individual final after finishing third and fourth in qualification. Rudrankksh missed out on the individual final because only two competitors from each country are permitted to advance.
Sachin books place in boxing quarterfinals
Indian boxer Sachin Siwach also moved closer to the medals after defeating Jordan’s Mohammad Adnan Abu Jajeh in the men’s 60kg category.
Sachin began the contest aggressively, but the bout soon developed into a tactical exchange, with both fighters looking for opportunities on the counter.
The Indian boxer managed to edge the opening rounds with cleaner combinations. His opponent stepped up the pressure in the final round, forcing Sachin into several exchanges and testing his stamina.
Despite the late challenge, Sachin had done enough across the bout to secure a split-decision victory and book his place in the quarterfinals.
Women’s hockey team stays unbeaten
The Indian women’s hockey team continued its impressive run with a 3-1 victory over hosts Japan, making it four wins from four matches.
India made a fast start, with Lalremsiami finding the net in the fifth minute. Ishika Chaudhary extended the lead shortly before half-time, while Navneet Kaur struck in the 36th minute to put India firmly in control.
Japan managed to reduce the deficit through Shiho Kobayakawa in the 46th minute, but India maintained its advantage until the final whistle.
India will play Singapore on Sunday in its final Pool B match as it continues its push toward the knockout stage.
Winning start for Indian badminton players
India also recorded victories at the badminton courts, with Unnati Hooda making a convincing start to her singles campaign.
Unnati defeated North Korea’s Mi Song Yu 21-9, 21-10 in a 30-minute opening-round contest to progress to the next stage.
The mixed doubles combination of Tanisha Crasto and Dhruv Kapila also advanced after a comfortable 21-8, 21-7 win over Maldives representatives Nibal Ahmed and Aminath Nabeeha Abdul Razzaq.
The results across shooting, boxing, hockey and badminton made Friday another productive day for the Indian contingent, with several athletes either adding medals or moving closer to the podium in their respective events.
