New Delhi, Oct 12 (SocialNews.XYZ) Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth on Monday felicitated Indian Army athletes for their impressive 20-medal haul in the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, praising their dedication and resolve while urging them to aim higher with the Los Angeles Olympics 2028 in focus.

The Army contingent secured six gold, eight silver and six bronze medals at the continental showpiece, contributing nearly 24 per cent of India's overall tally of 85 medals. The six gold medals also marked a 100 per cent increase over the Army's gold-medal tally at the previous edition of the Games.

A total of 62 Army athletes, including nine women, competed across 15 disciplines, with notable performances in shooting and athletics.

According to a post by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI), Indian Army on X, General Seth felicitated the contingent at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi on October 12, celebrating their achievements under the theme ‘Jai Se Vijay – Vijay Se Vijeta’.

“Drawing parallels with the spirit of a Soldier, the #COAS lauded the champions for their dedication, hard work and resolve to excel,” the Army said in the post.

“Complimenting the progress from 16 medals at the Commonwealth Games (2026) to 20 at the Asian Games, he credited the athletes and the enabling sporting ecosystem, particularly the #MissionOlympicsWing, for this success,” it added.

The army chief also asked the athletes for their opinions on the aspects that needed improving and encouraged them to show the spirit of the ‘Sporting Yoddha’ as they prepare for future international competitions.

Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda was one of the top performers at the Asian Games, taking home two gold medals and one silver in the shooting events. She became the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal in the women's trap event at the Asian Games.

Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh also had a memorable campaign, securing three individual medals in athletics, and Havildar Sawan Barwal won a silver medal in the marathon, putting an end to India's 44-year wait for an Asian Games medal in that event.

After its strong performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, where its athletes secured 16 medals—eight gold, seven silver and one bronze—the Army came away with 41 per cent of India's total medal count at the event.

Women athletes also played a significant role in the Army's achievements, since four female Army boxers won gold medals at the Commonwealth Games; at the Asian Games, the women earned two gold and one silver medal, which shows that their contribution to the Army's sporting programmes is increasing.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi/Imphal, Oct 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday appreciated the impressive performance of athletes from Manipur at the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan's Aichi-Nagoya, officials said.

A senior official of Chief Minister's Office (CMO) in Imphal said that the Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister stated this when he met the Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday at his official residence in New Delhi.

Mandaviya also agreed to visit Manipur shortly to oversee the various works of the Union Sports Ministry in the state.

He will also visit the under constructed National Sports University (NSU) in Imphal.

The National Sports University, the first of its kind in India, is considered as a landmark and dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CMO official said.

The Chief Minister congratulated Mandaviya on the success of the Indian team in the recently concluded Asian Games at Aichi-Nagoya.

Khemchand Singh also told Mandaviya about the problems of existing two federations/bodies in many sports disciplines.

He urged the Union Sports Minister to resolve this issue as having two federations in one sports discipline causes inconvenience to the players.

The Chief Minister also apprised the Union Sports Minister about the contributions of Manipuri players and athletes in the field of sports in India.

In all 36 sportspersons and three coaches from Manipur represented India at the 20th Asian Games, held in Aichi-Nagoya.

Manipur's Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, won a silver medal in the women's 48 kg category weightlifting and Naorem Roshibina Devi, won a silver medal in the women's Sanda 60 kg category.

Khemchand Singh on October 1 felicitated ace weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and Wushu player Naorem Roshibina Devi on their return to the state after winning silver medals at the Asian Games.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) With the Asian Games gold medal around his neck and the weight-cut diet officially over, Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal savoured the authentic Haryanwi desi taste. The 65 kg freestyle Asian champion revealed that after returning from Japan, he had eaten "mom's made choorma and kheer" the most.

Sujeet handed India their first wrestling gold medal at the Asian Games since Bajrang Punia (65 kg) and Vinesh Phogat topped the podium at Jakarta 2018. He made a dramatic comeback from 2-9 down to beat Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9 in the gold medal bout.

Replying to the IANS during the press conference organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) about the first cheat meal, or Haryanvi dish, he had after coming back from Japan, the wrestler from Charkhi Dadri in Haryana, who trains in SAI Sonepat, said he misses his mother's choorma a lot, as he stays away from home due to training and competitions.

"As soon as I returned, my mother sent choorma and kheer. I train in Sonepat away from home, so my mother keeps sending these things for me. After returning from Japan, I have eaten choorma and kheer the most. I miss choorma even in India because I don't live with my mother and train away from home," said Sujeet.

Sujeet has an unbeaten season so far in 2026, as he went to the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, having won the 2025 U23 World Championships and the 2026 Asian Wrestling Championships in the 65kg category. He also clinched gold at the UWW Ranking Series in Albania in February.

But his success came after a few setbacks. In 2023, he had to take the legal route to the High Court just to get a fair trial for the 2023 Asian Games spot. The ad hoc committee running Indian wrestling at the time had instead given Bajrang a direct entry into the team.

Later, in April 2024, when Sujeet was travelling to Bishkek for the Asian Olympic Qualifier with fellow restl;er Deepak Punia, record rainfall and flooding disrupted flight operations in the UAE and left the pair stranded in Dubai. They eventually reached Bishkek shortly after the morning weigh-in had begun and were not allowed by the organisers to compete.

Reflecting on such heartbreaks, when asked what message he would give to the 2023 version of Sujeet, who was fighting for his rights in court, he replied, "Have faith in yourself and keep working hard. God may delay justice, but it is never denied... If we stay stuck in the past, our present will be hampered, nor will we perform well in the future. Let go of what is gone."

Further speaking about his Parius hearbreak, Sujeet said he believes in being in the present and doesn't focus much on what has gone.

"I don't focus much on what is already gone. That was like a natural disaster—a flood came over there, and there was nothing we could do about it. Our job is to keep trying. Even when I was trailing in the final bout, my job was to fight until the very end. I put in all the power within me and won the gold for the country," the 23-year-old wrestler said.

IANS

bc/

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) "Desh ke liye gold jeetna hi mere liye diwali hai hai," said Asian Games 2026 gold medallist wrestler Sujeet Kalkal when asked how he will celebrate the festival of light after wrapping up his campaign at the Wrestling World Championships, to be held later this month from October 24 to November 1, in Kazakhstan.

Sujeet, reigning Asian champion, first defeated Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka of Japan in the 65 kg freestyle final at the Asian Games and then won the gold after mounting a sensational comeback from 2-9 down to beat Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9.

After his success in the continental showpiece, Sujeet is eyeing a gold in the UWW World Championships in Astana, which will conclude a week before Diwali. During a press conference organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Wednesday, the 23-year-old wrestler from Imlota village in the Charkhi Dadri district of Haryana, adorning the clam demenour, said winning the gold for the country was like a Diwali to him.

"Winning a gold medal for the country at the Asian Games—that itself is Diwali for me. I haven't even been home for Holi or Diwali yet because there is always one competition or another. My father says that if you bring home gold, that in itself is Diwali and Holi. This time too, there will be a competition around Diwali, and if I win gold, that will be Diwali for me," Sujeet said.

In the 65kg final at the Asian Games, Sujeet was trailing 2-9 at the end of the first period. With one minute and 40 seconds remaining in the gold medal bout, the Indian launched an extraordinary fightback to reduce the deficit to 9-8 before another two-point takedown to snatch the lead and clinch the gold medal.

Speaking about his thrilling turnaround, Sujeet said, "I couldn't control the final bout in the beginning because I couldn't warm up properly at that time. After that, I established a good grip in the second period, and every attack I attempted was successful. By the end of the match, I had covered all the points."

Asked about his preparation for the World Championships and how the Asian Games gold medal win will boost his confidence, Sujeet said the UWW Worlds is tougher than the Asian Games and Olympics as well, and he will not be following any specific plan for his preparations but will be working on the 'mistakes' from the past.

"This is a very important competition, and it's going to be even tougher than the Olympics. We don't do any specific preparation. We just work on the mistakes made in previous competitions so that they aren't repeated in the upcoming ones," he said.

Sujeet, who trains at SAI Sonepat, had training exposure in Russia and Armenia before the Asian Games to prepare for the continental spectacle and world championships as well.

Sharing his experience from the foreign exposure, Sujeet said, "First of all, thanks to TOPS, SAI and WFI. Because of them, we get foreign exposures. Training plays the most important role in the medals we win. There were champions wrestlers in Russia; World Championship, Asian Games, and Olympic medallists were there, so there was a lot to learn, and we also competed there. It was a great experience."

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, Oct 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports G. Parameshwara felicitated and congratulated Karnataka athletes who won medals at the Asian Games 2026, bringing laurels to both the country and the state, here at Vidhana Soudha on Tuesday.

Mohit H. S., Aditi Ashok, Puvamma, Ayush Shetty, Tilottama Sen, Shreyank Patil, and Sneha S. S. who achieved remarkable feats at the 2026 Asian were felicitated

"These athletes' historic achievements have swelled the chest of every Kannadiga with pride. Their hard work, determination, and passion for sports serve as the finest inspiration for the youth of our land. May all these talents, in the days ahead, accomplish even greater feats on the international stage, hoisting the flag of honor for our state and nation to the skies. Our government will always stand in steadfast support of the upliftment of sports and athletes," CM Shivakumar posted on X.

"Standing with these champions, I could see the determination and commitment that have taken them to the highest level. I know that every medal is built on years of discipline, sacrifice, setbacks and an unwavering belief in oneself. Behind every podium finish is a long journey that often goes unseen. They have made Karnataka proud by representing India with distinction. Their achievements will inspire more young Kannadigas to take up sport, dream big and believe in their own potential.

"We will continue to strengthen our sporting ecosystem, support our athletes and ensure that talent from Karnataka gets every opportunity to shine. Their victories are Karnataka’s pride, and their journeys are an inspiration for the next generation," he added.

Along with CM Shivakumar and deputy CM Parameshwara, Dr. K. Govindaraju, president of the Karnataka Olympic Association, M. N. Anuchet, Commissioner of the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, and others were present during the event.

Speaking on the occasion, Parameshwara stated that the government is committed to making Karnataka one of the country’s leading sporting states by identifying talent and supporting athletes through financial assistance, quality training, preparation for international competitions and employment opportunities.

Parameshwara said several important measures have been taken not only to honour the achievements of Karnataka’s athletes at the Asian Games, but also to provide greater financial incentives, employment security and support for competing at the international level.

The cash awards for Asian Games medallists have been significantly increased. Earlier, gold medallists received Rs 35 lakh, silver medallists Rs 25 lakh, and bronze medallists Rs 15 lakh. Under the revised structure, gold medallists will receive Rs 1 crore, silver medallists Rs 75 lakh, and bronze medallists Rs 50 lakh, he said.

Eight Karnataka athletes will receive these revised cash awards this time. In addition, each of these eight medallists will receive a further Rs 5 lakh participation incentive for competing at the Asian Games 2026, over and above the medal cash award.

Parameshwara said the cash awards have been enhanced to give sporting achievements the recognition they deserve and to inspire the next generation of athletes.

For the first time, all 20 Karnataka athletes who qualified for and competed in the Asian Games 2026 have been sanctioned a cash incentive of Rs 5 lakh each.

Qualifying to compete at the international level is itself a major achievement. The decision has therefore been taken to encourage not only medal winners but every Karnataka athlete who represented the State at the Games, Parameshwara underlined.

"Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medallists have been given an opportunity for direct recruitment to Group-B posts in the State Government. Eligible and interested medallists may be directly recruited through a selection committee headed by the Chief Secretary of Karnataka," Deputy CM stated.

Parameshwara said the objective is to provide career security to athletes who bring honour to the State and the country through sporting excellence.

Under the ‘Guri: Olympics’ scheme, introduced to improve Karnataka’s participation and performance at the Olympics, four selected medallists from the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games have been included for 2026–27: M.R. Poovamma, Sneha S.S., Shreyanka Patil and Shilpa K.S, Parameshwara noted.

Each of these athletes will receive a Rs 10 lakh cash incentive this year towards Olympic preparation, training and other requirements, he stated.

The primary objective of the scheme is to provide talented athletes from Karnataka with quality training and necessary financial support so they can prepare for and win more medals at global events, including the Olympics.

To provide employment security to accomplished sportspersons, the State Government has introduced 2 per cent reservation in direct recruitment. A notification in this regard was issued on Oct 3, providing 2 per cent reservation for achieving sportspersons in direct recruitment to Group-A, Group-B, Group-C and Group-D posts across all levels of the State Government, he stated.

Parameshwara said sportspersons should not have to worry about employment after achieving success in sports. The measure is intended not only to honour their sporting achievements but also to provide security for their future.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, Oct 6 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Karnataka government has substantially increased the cash rewards for eight sportspersons from the state who won medals at the Asian Games 2026, raising the prize money to Rs 1 crore for gold, Rs 75 lakh for silver and Rs 50 lakh for bronze medals.

According to an official statement from Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar's office on Tuesday, the cash reward for a gold medal has been increased from Rs 35 lakh to Rs 1 crore, while the reward for a silver medal has been raised from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 75 lakh and that for a bronze medal from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

Under the revised scheme, Indian cricketer Shreyanka Patil, who represented the Indian women's cricket team and won a gold medal, will receive Rs 1 crore. Track athlete M.R. Poovamma, who represented India in the 4x400 mixed relay and won a silver medal and was also part of the 4x400 women's relay team that secured gold, will receive a total of Rs 1.75 crore.

Tilottama Sen, who won a silver medal in the women's 50-metre rifle team event in shooting, will receive Rs 75 lakh. Shuttler Ayush R. Shetty, who was part of the Indian men's badminton team that won a bronze medal, will get Rs 50 lakh. Sneha S.S., who secured a bronze medal in the 4x100 mixed relay in athletics, will also receive Rs 50 lakh.

Golfer Aditi Ashok, who represented India and won a silver medal, will receive Rs 75 lakh. Pranavi S. Urs, who was part of the Indian golf team that won a silver medal and also secured an individual gold medal, will receive a total cash reward of Rs 1.75 crore.

Mohit H.S, a member of the gold-medal-winning men's hockey team, will receive Rs 1 crore.

The eight sportspersons will also receive an additional Rs 5 lakh each as a subsidy over and above the cash rewards announced for their medals.

The state government has also decided to provide direct appointments to Asian Games and Commonwealth Games medal winners to Group-B posts in government services. Sportspersons interested in taking up government service will be considered for direct appointment through a committee headed by the Chief Secretary.

As part of the Olympics Scheme for 2026-27, Asian Games medal winners Poovamma, Sneha and Shreyanka, along with Commonwealth Games medal winner Shilpa K.S., have been included in the scheme. Each of them will receive Rs 10 lakh to support their preparations for the Olympics.

The government has also issued a notification on October 3 providing a two per cent reservation in direct recruitment to sportspersons in all categories of state government posts, including Group-A, Group-B, Group-C and Group-D posts.

Additionally, the state government has announced a cash incentive of Rs 5 lakh each for 20 sportspersons from Karnataka who participated and represented India at the Asian Games 2026.

Notably, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports G. Parameshwara on Monday said the state government is reconsidering the cash awards for sportspersons by comparing them with the incentives offered by other states after senior track athlete Poovamma, a member of the Indian women’s 4x400-metre relay team that won the gold medal at the Asian Games, expressed dissatisfaction over Karnataka's cash reward of Rs 35 lakh for a gold medal, urging the state government to enhance the cash rewards for medal-winning athletes to provide greater financial support.

She also felt disappointed that no state leaders or district officials called to congratulate her immediately after her win in Japan. She urged the state to improve support and increase financial incentives for future athletes.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Himachal Pradesh government on Monday increased the cash reward for its women's Kabaddi winners at the recently concluded Asian Games, awarding three players Rs 1 crore each along with a government job.

The three Himachali players of the Indian women’s kabaddi team - Pushpa Rana, Jyoti Thakur and Bhawna Thakur - would be awarded prize money of at least 1 crore by the Himachal Pradesh government for their performance in the Aichi-Nagoya Games, where both women's and men's Kabaddi teams won gold medals.

Pushpa, Jyoti and Bhawna met the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and were presented with Himachali caps and shawls in honour. The three players will also be awarded government employment, the release from the Himachal Pradesh government added.

"The Chief Minister said that the three players would also be provided employment in government service. Those who do not wish to join the Police Department would be offered appointments in the Youth Services and Sports Department, enabling them to continue pursuing their sporting careers while contributing to the promotion and development of sports in the state, he added," the release said.

Meanwhile, India fast bowler Renuka Thakur will also be awarded Rs 1 crore "in recognition of her achievements", the release said.

The women's Kabaddi players spoke about meeting with the state CM after they were left disappointed with the Kabaddi players being offered Rs 33 lakh each for their gold medal win.

"Look, we were very disappointed because according to the sports policy, we were not being given the amount that was due to us. So literally, anyone would be disappointed," India captain Pushpa Rana, who is from Himachal Pradesh, told IANS. "Now, after meeting him, we received a very positive response from the Chief Minister. Considering how politely he handled us and listened to us attentively, I am hopeful that the Rs 1 crore announced or promised to us will definitely be given," she added.

Jyoti also opened up about the meeting with the CM. "First of all, I want to share that in the recent Asian Games in Japan, Team India won the Gold Medal, which is a proud moment for the whole nation and state. Today, we had a meeting with the Chief Minister. Our main points of discussion were regarding the cash awards and jobs.

"Initially, an award of Rs 33 lakh was announced, which was seen on social media. This had left us disappointed. So, we met the Chief Minister to present our side. He assured us that an incentive reward of Rs 1 crore will be presented to us at an official function," she said.

Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan also praised the state players for their performances at the Asiad. "Today, three of our girls from Himachal Pradesh who represented Team India - including Pushpa Rana from Sirmaur, who served as captain of the Indian team, along with Bhavna Thakur and Jyoti Thakur - met the Chief Minister and me. It is a matter of great pride and happiness that the Indian team was represented by three players from Himachal, including Ritu Negi from the Shillai constituency. It is a proud moment for us that they led India to the gold medal," he said.

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, Oct 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Youth Empowerment and Sports G. Parameshwara on Monday said the state government is reconsidering the cash awards for sportspersons by comparing them with the incentives offered by other states.

Speaking to reporters near the West Gate of Vidhana Soudha, Parameshwara said he had already discussed the matter with Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and that the revised prize amounts would be announced on Tuesday.

"We are reconsidering the prize money given to sportspersons in the state by comparing it with other states. I have already discussed this with the Chief Minister. We will announce tomorrow how much prize money should be given to sportspersons," he said.

Parameshwara said he had personally spoken to several successful athletes, including Poovamma, regarding the incentives being provided by the government.

"We tried to contact and congratulate Poovamma when she was in Japan, but we could not reach her at that time. Within an hour or two of her return to India, I contacted her and spoke to her. I have spoken not only to Poovamma but also to several other athletes," he said.

He said the government had collected information about the cash awards being offered by other states and was examining the details.

"Sportspersons have told us that higher amounts are being given in other states. We have obtained that information and examined it. I have already discussed with the Chief Minister the need to reconsider the prize money in Karnataka," Parameshwara said.

The Deputy Chief Minister said the Chief Minister and he would jointly announce the revised prize money to be offered to sportspersons on Tuesday.

"We will announce tomorrow how much the prize money should be increased," he said.

It can be noted M.R. Poovamma, a member of the Indian women’s 4x400-metre relay team that won the gold medal at the Asian Games, expressed dissatisfaction over Karnataka's cash reward of Rs 35 lakh for a gold medal, urging the state government to enhance the cash rewards for medal-winning athletes to provide greater financial support.

She also felt disappointed that no state leaders or district officials called to congratulate her immediately after her win in Japan. She urged the state to improve support and increase financial incentives for future athletes.

Chief Minister Shivakumar and Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara contacted her over phone later, and CM Shivakumar invited her for a meeting to discuss enhancing the state's sports reward policies.

IANS

mka/bc

Source: IANS

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Bengaluru, Oct 5 (SocialNews.XYZ) India head coach VVS Laxman praised his team's resilience and "champion’s mindset" after returning to India following their gold-medal triumph at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, saying the players held their nerve when tested by difficult conditions to successfully defend the title.

India beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the final at the Karogi Athletic Park, Nisshin, to successfully defend their men's cricket title.

Laxman said the achievement carried particular significance, with the team being defending champions at the continental showpiece.

“Defending the gold is also a very special moment for all of us,” Laxman said while speaking to reporters upon his return to India.

The former India batter credited the players for consistently rising to the occasion despite challenges during the Games, particularly when the conditions made things difficult.

“Very pleased with the way the team played. Getting a gold in the Asian Games is a matter of great pride. And I think everyone played to their potential,” he added.

Laxman also underlined the depth of talent within the squad, pointing to the work ethic and mentality that helped India produce the desired result on the continental stage.

“We are very lucky to have so many players who are so talented and hard-working and have a great work ethic, and also, most importantly, who have got a champion’s mindset,” he said.

The coach felt that the team’s ability to remain composed when the stakes were high was one of the defining aspects of its campaign.

“So it was great to see them play, even though they were challenged by the weather or the conditions, but I think they stepped up. And especially when they were under pressure, I thought they held their nerve and got the desired result for the country,” Laxman said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia congratulated golfer Pranavi Urs over a video call on Sunday after her historic gold medal-winning performance at the Asian Games 2026, recalling the time he had played alongside her when she was still in school.

Pranavi created history by becoming the first Indian woman golfer to win an individual gold medal at the Asian Games after producing a composed final-round performance at the Kasugai Country Club East Course.

She finished the four-round competition at 15-under 265, shooting an even-par 70 in the final round to clinch the gold despite a difficult start that saw her card a triple bogey on the third hole.

Union Minister Scindia spoke to Pranavi over a video call following her landmark achievement and praised her for the perseverance, hard work, and composure that helped her produce a memorable performance.

"Congratulations, unbelievable, so happy, amazing, amazing, amazing, amazing feat. Very well done," the Union Minister told Pranavi.

Union Minister Scindia then recalled meeting Pranavi during the Madras India Golf Tournament when she was still a school student.

"I remember seeing you and playing with you at the Madras India Golf Tournament years, years, years ago. I was still in school," Pranavi said, to which Scindia replied, "Yeah, you were still in school."

The Minister said it was special to witness Pranavi's journey from those early days to becoming an Asian Games champion.

"I remember it was unbelievable. But I was also so, so happy to have had the Madhavrao Scindia Foundation being a part of your journey and really, really feel honoured, if I may say so, to have been a part of that journey," he said.

Pranavi also helped India win the women's team silver alongside Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, giving the country its first medal in the women's team event at the Asian Games. Reflecting on the team achievement, Pranavi said she was confident that the trio would win a medal.

"Aditi and Diksha are great players. They're phenomenal. And I was really excited that I was teaming up with them. I knew for sure we were going to get a medal because we're obviously the top three best female golfers in the country. And I just knew that we were going to get a medal," she said.

Union Minister Scindia also asked Pranavi what message she would give to young athletes beginning their sporting journeys.

"I think just to go out there and have fun. And I think that's always been my thing, to just go out there, have fun and be patient. Obviously, practice every day, be dedicated and stay motivated," she said.

The Indian women's team, comprising Pranavi, Aditi and Diksha, finished with a total of 14-under 546 across four rounds to secure the silver medal.

Union Minister Scindia congratulated Pranavi, her parents, coaches and everyone who had supported her journey, while wishing the Asian Games champion continued success.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Indian contingent for its performance at the Asian Games 2026, praising the athletes for representing the country with determination, passion and remarkable sporting spirit.

India finished the Aichi-Nagoya Games in fourth position with 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze, in what became the country’s second-highest medal haul in the history of the Asian Games.

“As the Asian Games 2026 draw to a close, my compliments to every member of the Indian contingent for representing our nation with determination, passion and remarkable sporting spirit,” PM Modi wrote on X.

The Prime Minister congratulated the country’s medal winners and said their performances had brought immense joy to the nation.

“Congratulations to all our medal winners, whose performances have brought immense joy to the nation,” he wrote.

PM Modi also hoped that the performances in Aichi-Nagoya would inspire greater achievements in the coming years and help strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem at the grassroots level.

“May these games inspire even greater achievements in the years ahead. May they contribute to strengthening sports at the grassroots too,” he added.

India’s campaign in Japan was highlighted by a number of historic achievements and successful title defences across disciplines.

The men’s and women’s cricket teams retained their Asian Games titles, while both kabaddi teams also won gold medals. The men’s hockey team successfully defended its title with a 5-1 victory over Malaysia, while the women’s team ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold by defeating China 1-0 in the final.

India also produced several landmark individual performances. Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal in golf at the Asian Games, while 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win individual recurve gold at the continental showpiece.

Lovlina Borgohain also joined an elite list by becoming only the second Indian woman after Mary Kom to win an Asian Games boxing gold.

Athletics was India’s biggest medal contributor with 24 medals, while shooting produced 15. Archery was the most successful sport in terms of gold medals, with five top finishes.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Fresh from her Asian Games gold medal, Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain has already turned her attention towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with the 2027 World Boxing Championships set to provide the first opportunity to secure qualification.

With the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) deciding that Asian Games medallists will be the main entries for the 2027 World Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan, the first official qualifying event for the LA 2028 Olympics, Lovlina wants to make the most of the pathway and seal her Olympic berth at the earliest opportunity.

“We always try our best to qualify in the first qualification (chance) only. It is a very good thing for an athlete. The way hockey has done it, they will get a long time to prepare. Our target is to qualify in the first qualification, get a good time and get good results,” Lovlina told IANS on Sunday.

The prospect of securing qualification early would give Lovlina and the other successful boxers a longer runway to prepare specifically for the Olympics. For an athlete already familiar with the demands of the Games, the priority now is to ensure that the qualification process does not become a prolonged battle and that sufficient preparation time is available once the ticket to LA28 is secured.

Her Asian Games triumph has strengthened that belief. But Lovlina does not view the medal simply as a response to the disappointment of Paris, where she missed out on a podium finish. Instead, she wants to enjoy what she has achieved without allowing the pressure to prove herself to overshadow the accomplishment.

“I have not thought of anything like that. I just said that I have won the moment. This is my medal. I just have to enjoy it. I don’t have to answer anyone. I don’t have to prove anything. I don’t have to do anything. I just have to enjoy my medal,” she added.

The Asian Games also offered Lovlina a wider view of the progress being made in Indian boxing. The recent medal-winning performances across weight categories, including the heavier divisions, have pointed to a growing depth within the national programme.

Lovlina believes the change is not about one category working harder than another, but about athletes developing the mentality required to consistently compete for medals.

“I think everyone does hard work. Everyone does hard work. Both heavyweight and lightweight boxers work equally hard. Everyone does the same amount of hard work. Sometimes you get a medal, sometimes you don’t. But the hard work is not less. I know, we stay in the camp. Every athlete works so hard and is so focused.

“So, the mindset has changed somewhere between our athletes. We have a champion mindset. That is why we are doing well. And we are getting support from the government. That is also the reason why our performance is good,” the boxer stated.

For Lovlina, that champion mindset begins with trusting the process and, more importantly, trusting oneself. She believes that lesson is particularly important for young boxers entering a sport where setbacks are inevitable.

“I would like to say that it is more important to trust yourself. The world will say anything. You should never break your trust. If you think you can do it, then you can do it,” she mentioned.

The Asian Games gold also gave Lovlina another reminder of why athletes endure the difficult periods of their careers. For her, few moments compare with standing on the podium while the national anthem plays.

“It is a very good feeling. We are not allowed to go around the world with our national flag. But when the national anthem is played, our flag comes up. That is a very special moment. That feeling is the dream of every athlete. To finish that podium and play our national anthem,” Lovlina expressed.

The next target, however, is already clear. With the first LA28 qualification event providing an opportunity to secure her place early, Lovlina wants to convert her Asian Games momentum into an Olympic berth and then use the additional preparation time to arrive in Los Angeles fully prepared for another shot at the biggest stage.

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The buses will stop running, accreditation cards will soon become souvenirs, and athletes rushing through airports will once again replace the colourful chaos of the past two weeks.

The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games have come to an end.

It was a simple farewell, much like the opening ceremony. There was music, colour, dancing, flags and athletes enjoying perhaps their first opportunity in days to simply breathe and take in what they had achieved.

For India, it was a closing night filled with pride.

Shooter Neeru Dhanda led the Indian contingent as flagbearer, carrying the Tricolour into the stadium after an exceptional campaign for the country. Yet her presence was just one part of a much bigger Indian story.

India finished fourth in the medal table with 85 medals — 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.

China dominated the Games, followed by Japan and South Korea, while India’s medal haul once again highlighted its growing presence across a wide range of sports.

And some of the loudest celebrations came from a sport that needs little introduction in India — cricket.

Cricket once again proved that its place in the Asian Games is no longer merely symbolic.

India’s men’s and women’s teams both returned with gold medals.

The women’s team set the tone, managing the pressure of being among the competition’s biggest names and delivering when it mattered. The men’s team followed with another gold, bringing India’s cricket campaign to a close with two gold medals.

For Indian cricket, these were not just two more medals on a crowded tally.

The Asian Games offered another reminder of how far the sport has reached beyond its traditional boundaries—and of the weight the Indian jersey carries even outside the world’s biggest cricket tournaments.

For some Indian athletes, however, there was no glamour attached to their journey.

There were early morning starts, long journeys to venues and hours spent waiting for competition. Some travelled hundreds of kilometres simply to compete for a medal that may never make the front pages.

Yet they kept showing up.

That perhaps became the defining characteristic of India’s campaign.

Archery produced a stunning five gold medals. Boxing added three golds, while wrestling contributed two. Hockey and kabaddi brought the familiar roar of team triumphs, with both men’s and women’s teams winning gold.

Athletics again produced its share of drama, with India’s runners and field athletes battling through pressure and weather to add precious medals.

Golf created history too, with Pranavi Urs winning India’s first women’s individual Asian Games gold in the sport.

Shooting remained one of India’s strongest medal-producing disciplines, while weightlifting, badminton, squash, rowing, table tennis, sailing, wushu, kurash, MMA, soft tennis and other sports also contributed to the final tally.

The numbers tell one story. The athletes tell another.

Behind India’s 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals are stories of athletes who trained for years for a few minutes of competition. Some arrived as favourites and delivered. Others arrived almost unnoticed and left as household names.

Japan’s difficult fortnight

Away from the competition venues, Aichi-Nagoya was rarely free from criticism.

Transport became a recurring frustration. So did the distances between venues. The absence of a traditional athletes’ village created its own challenges, while sparse crowds at some events did little to create the atmosphere usually associated with the Asian Games.

For journalists, photographers and support staff, travelling between venues sometimes became an event in itself.

Japan, a country known for precision and efficiency, was therefore under an unusually bright spotlight.

But the Games also showed the other side of the story.

Despite the problems, competitions were completed. Athletes competed. Medals were won. Records were broken. And, eventually, the closing ceremony arrived.

That is perhaps the fairest way to judge a sporting event.

Not everything went according to plan. But the sport survived the imperfections.

And in the end, that is what the athletes will remember.

Soon, the venues will become quiet again.

The banners will come down. The temporary signs will disappear. The medal ceremonies will become photographs on athletes’ phones.

For India, the 85 medals will remain in the record books. But the memories will be more personal.

A victory celebrated with teammates. A defeat followed by a hug. A coach wiping away tears.

A parent watching nervously from the stands. An athlete hearing the national anthem for the first time.

And, on the final evening, a contingent walking together behind the Tricolour.

Aichi-Nagoya may not have been a perfect Asian Games. But sport rarely is.

It is messy, unpredictable and sometimes brutally unforgiving.

And that is precisely why, after all the criticism, long journeys, rain, empty seats, unexpected defeats and glorious victories, the Games still managed to leave behind what every sporting festival ultimately seeks — memories that outlive the closing ceremony.

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) China’s 13-year-old swimming sensation Yu Zidi and Thailand’s sprinter Puripol Boonson were named the Female and Male Most Valuable Players, respectively, at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) on Sunday.

Yu and Boonson were rewarded for standout campaigns in which they combined multiple gold medals with a series of Asian Games and Asian records. Both athletes will receive USD 25,000 each from the OCA for their performances at the continental multi-sport event.

Yu, who is only 13, emerged as one of the biggest stars of the Games after winning three individual gold medals in swimming. She topped the podium in the women’s 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley, setting three Games Records and one Asian Record in the process.

Her first record-breaking performance came in the 200m butterfly on September 20, when she clocked 2:05.08 to set a new Games Record.

A day later, Yu produced an even bigger performance in the 200m individual medley. Her time of 2:06.10 established a Games Record and also lowered the Asian Record.

She completed her hat-trick of gold medals on September 23, winning the 400m individual medley in 4:28.56, another Games Record.

Boonson, meanwhile, dominated the men’s sprint events to claim a 100m-200m double for Thailand. The 20-year-old sprinter set four Asian Games Records and equalled an Asian Record during his campaign.

In the men’s 100m on September 25, Boonson stormed to gold in 9.90 seconds, improving the Asian Games Record of 9.91 that he had set in the semi-finals.

Two days later, he completed the sprint double in the 200m. His winning time of 19.88 seconds broke his own Games Record of 20.10 seconds set the previous day and equalled the Asian Record.

Boonson also collected a silver medal as part of Thailand’s mixed 4x100m relay team, adding to a highly successful Games.

Tayyab Ikram, chair of the OCA MVP Awards Panel, said the selection process was difficult given the quality of performances across Aichi-Nagoya.

“The five members of the panel had a very difficult job selecting the Female and Male MVP of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026. This is testament to the exceptional quality of the athletes and to the high level of competition throughout the Asian Games. Our two winners not only registered a series of Asian Games Records and Asian Records but also established themselves as Asian sports superstars around the world.

“We are convinced that their performances here at the Asian Games will be a stepping stone to greater things in the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. They made a huge impact on the spectators and media at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 and have time on their side to build on this success and win many more gold medals in the future.

“OCA would like to congratulate Zu Yidi, Puripol Boonson and all our Asian athletes for putting on a tremendous show at the 20th Asian Games and for providing sporting memories that will last a lifetime.”

Yu and Boonson now join an illustrious list of athletes to have received the OCA Asian Games MVP Award. Previous winners include Japan’s Koji Ito (1998), Kosuke Kitajima (2002 and 2014), China’s Park Tae-hwan (2006), Lin Dan (2010), China’s Rikako Ikee (2018) and Qin Haiyang, alongside Zhang Yufei, who were the respective male and female winners in 2022.

The five-member panel that selected the 2026 MVPs comprised Ikram, OCA Deputy Director General Vinod Kumar Tiwari, OCA Athletes Committee chair Ding Ning, OCA Sports Committee chair Song Luzeng and Jeremy Walker, editor of the OCA Sporting Asia Newsletter.

With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics now on the horizon, the OCA believes the performances of Yu and Boonson could mark the beginning of even bigger international careers for two of Asia’s emerging sporting stars.

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) acknowledged that the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games had faced several operational challenges, but said Sunday that they had ultimately given athletes the conditions they needed to compete and perform at their best.

Mohammad Tayyab Ikram, chair of the OCA Coordination Committee for the 2026 Asian Games, said the OCA had heard concerns and complaints about certain aspects of the Games' operations. He emphasised, however, that the focus should remain on how those challenges were addressed and whether athletes received the best possible conditions in terms of logistics and other services.

"There is no Games without challenges. The way we handled the challenges should be more important to highlight,” Ikram said, at a press conference on the final day of the Games, as per Xinhua.

He said the OCA's priority was to put athletes first and keep improving the support and facilities available to them. "This edition of Games was different. It was a different model," Ikram said, referring in particular to the decision not to build a traditional athletes' village.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games used a distributed accommodation model, housing athletes in containers, cruise ships and hotels instead of a purpose-built village. "It was difficult to understand when this model was proposed, but we now have a good practice. Maybe other Games will look at it," he said.

Ikram also emphasised security as a key feature of the Games, noting that the OCA had worked to ensure safe conditions for athletes and other stakeholders throughout the event. He added that the organisation would continue improving conditions and services for athletes.

Meanwhile, OCA Director General Husain Al Musallam cited the performances at the Games as evidence that athletes had been given a suitable competition environment.

"Numbers are facts," Al Musallam said, noting the large number of world and Asian records set during the Games. He stressed that athletes could not perform at their best without adequate support.

"The athletes cannot perform if they don't sleep well. The athletes cannot perform if they don't have transportation. The athletes cannot perform if they don't have good health care. They cannot perform if they don't eat good," he said. "These achievements do not come without the best environment that the organising committee created for the athletes."

Al Musallam said the distributed accommodation model could also ease the added burden on host cities of building and maintaining a large athletes' village, as long as athletes' conditions and Games experience were not compromised.

He described the approach as a promising model for future major sporting events, saying it could prevent large facilities from being left behind as "white elephants" after the Games.

The two officials praised the organising committee, local authorities, volunteers, and other partners for their contributions to the Games, noting that their cooperation was essential in addressing operational challenges.

After bringing together thousands of athletes from across Asia to compete in 43 disciplines, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which began on September 19, concluded on Sunday, October 4.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian wrestler Antim Panghal was disappointed not to have won the gold medal in the women's 53kg final at the Asian Games but was proud of the silver she won with some strong performances.

Antim lost the gold medal bout to Japan's Moe Kiyooka, who was the 2024 World Championships' gold medallist in the 55kg category. Antim now has upgraded her bronze from the Hangzhou Games 2023 to a silver at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, something she stays proud of despite the final loss.

"Of course, I’m a little disappointed that I couldn’t win gold, but I’m still very proud to have won a silver medal for India at the Asian Games. Every athlete dreams of winning a medal for the country, and to be able to do that on this stage means a lot to me," she said.

The Haryana-born athlete underwent intense training in preparation for the major events and reflected on the sacrifices she has had to make. "There have been so many sacrifices, difficult days and moments when things have not gone my way, but I kept believing in myself and working hard.

"I’m especially thankful to WFI, Inspire Institute of Sport and Parth Jindal sir, who has supported me, guided me and helped me improve throughout this journey. I'll take this experience, learn from it and keep working hard to come back stronger," Antim added.

Antim was the only Indian woman wrestler to bag a medal at the Asiad, as five other medals were won by male grapplers. The 21-year-old had produced a dominant run to reach the final, opening her campaign with a 9-0 victory over Kazakhstan's Shugyla Omirbek before defeating Uzbekistan's Sakibjamal Esbosynova 8-0 in the quarterfinals.

She then overcame China's Jin Zhang 6-1 in the semifinal. After conceding the opening point, Antim responded strongly by scoring six unanswered points to book her place in the title clash.

Her qualification for the final had already placed her in an elite group, making her only the third Indian woman wrestler after Geetika Jakhar and Vinesh Phogat to reach an Asian Games wrestling final.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Golf Union (IGU) governing council has approved a cash award of Rs 10 lakh for Pranavi Urs for winning the historic gold at the Aich-Nagoya Asian Games.   

Pranavi became the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold medal in golf. She then added a second medal, combining with Olympians Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar for the women’s team silver, India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the event.

"Your outstanding performance is a moment of great pride for Indian golf and for all of us at the Indian Golf Union. Winning Gold at the Asian Games is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of your talent, hard work, determination and commitment to the sport.

"On behalf of the Indian Golf Union, I am delighted to inform you that the Governing Council has approved a cash award of Rs 10 lakh in recognition of your gold-medal-winning performance," IGU president Brijinder Singh said.

Additionally, IGU announced Rs 3 lakh for each member of the women’s golf team in recognition of their silver medal.

"These awards are a small expression of our appreciation for your exceptional contribution and for bringing great honour to Indian golf," he added.

Pranavi's triumph ended India’s 24-year wait for an Asian Games golf gold, with Shiv Kapur’s men’s individual title at Busan 2002 having been the country’s previous title.

Before this, Aditi’s Hangzhou 2023 silver was India’s only golf medal in the women’s individual event at the Games. Pranavi finished fourth in Hangzhou.

It was also India’s fourth gold in golf at the Asian Games. The first titles came at New Delhi 1982 through Lakshman Singh, who also combined with Rishi Narain, Amit Luthra and Rajeev Mohta to secure the men’s team crown.

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) After Indian boxers bring home six medals, including three golds, from the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh has lauded Indian boxing's consistent progress in the last decade, noting that 10 years ago India were 44th in world boxing, and are now on top.

India finished with six medals - three gold and as many bronze - to mark their most successful Asian Games boxing campaign in terms of titles won. Guangzhou 2010 saw India bag two golds. Having upgraded her silver from Hangzhou 2023, Lovlina Borgohain also became only the second Indian woman after Mary Kom, at Incheon 2014, to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.

"It is a matter of great pride. India has come first in Asian Games, ahead of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and China, which are considered to be the leading countries in boxing. The performance of the team was excellent. It is a matter of great pride.

At the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Indian boxers capped off an incredible campaign with 10 medals, securing a record haul of seven gold medals. No country has won more gold medals in boxing at a single edition of CWG.

"Not only in Asian Games, India came first in Commonwealth Games as well. Before that, we came second in Asian Championships and third in World Championships," Singh told IANS after boxing teams arrival in the national capital," he added.

Under BFI's selection criteria, Asian Games medallists will be selected as the main entries in their respective weight categories for the World Boxing Championships 2027. The World Championships in Kazakhstan will be the first qualifying event in boxing for the LA 2028 Olympics.

Speaking about India's prospects and preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, BFI chief said, the entire team will work on the boxers' weaknesses to make them fully prepare to win medals in the 2028 Summer Games.

"Consistently, India has performed very well. And we feel that if we continue to prepare in this way, we will definitely win medals in Olympics. A consistent preparation is going on. Ten years ago, when I became BFI president, we were 44th in the world. Today, we are at the top of the world, ahead of everyone. In the same way, the preparation will continue. We should not be overconfident. We should try to work on our weaknesses."

Lovlina (75kg), Parveen Hooda (65kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg) won gold, while Kapil Pokhariya (90kg), Narender Berwal (+90kg), and Priya Ghanghas (60kg) secured bronze medals at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.

The BFI chief also noted that this time Indian boxers have medals in heavy weights, breaking the common man's notion that the country only wins medals in lighter weight categories.

"Earlier, it was said that India performs only in lighter weights, not in heavy weights. This time, we have won so many medals in heavy weight. Ankush has won a medal in 80 kgs, Narendra has won a medal in 90 kgs and Kapil has also won a medal. So, it was very good. Lovlina has also won a medal in women's heaviest weight. So, we are very happy and we feel that we should continue to prepare in this way," he concluded.

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian triumph at the women’s recurve team event at the Asian Games also has a Haryana connection, in the form of Kirti Sharma. Born in a farming family among the patriarchal milieu of rural Haryana, Kirti had to battle a host of obstacles to travel from the nondescript village of Ritauli to Asian Games glory.

Kirti, who hones her skills at SAI Hazaribagh, was part of the gold-winning Indian women’s recurve troika that stunned South Korea at Aichi-Nagoya

The Indian women’s recurve team of Kirti Sharma, Ankita Bhagat and Kumkum Mohod created history at the Asian Games 2026 by vanquishing mighty South Korea in the final to clinch the gold medal. The Indian trio thus broke the 44-year domination of South Korea in the event at the Asian Games.

“I was suffering from poor health since childhood. I had to listen to a lot of negative comments from various quarters doubting my ability to make it big in archery. Since I was not in good shape physically, initially I found it difficult to even lift bows with heavy poundage. But I was determined to do whatever it takes to prove my critics wrong,” Kirti told SAI Media.

She ultimately realised that goal when the Indian trio defeated South Korea 5-3 in a tense final at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park. The 19-year-old credited her family, especially her father Vijay Sharma, for standing with her through difficult times and laying the foundation for her success.

“My father is a farmer. But he has always supported me and has taken care of all expenses related to my sports career despite financial constraints,” Kirti said.

"Many people told my father that he should not allow me to go into sports since I was a girl. They also expressed doubts over my ability to succeed due to my poor health. But my father has always believed in me."

The star archer asserted that the SAI and her coach Uddham Singh, deserve all the accolades for paving the way to Asian Games glory.

"My family and my coach have always supported me and made me believe that I can do wonders. In fact, I appeared for the trials at SAI, Hazaribagh only because my coach Uddham Singh was transferred there. In fact, during my initial years, I used to train at an academy started by Uddham sir," Kirti said.

"I went to SAI, Hazaribagh four years ago. Since then, my career has improved by leaps and bounds. SAI and Uddham Singh sir are responsible for whatever I have achieved."

—ians

bc/

Source: IANS

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Kakamigahara, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's veteran midfielder Manpreet Singh said early qualification for the 2028 Olympics will give the Indian team extra preparation time ahead of the Los Angeles Games.

India men booked a direct berth to the Olympics after defending their Asian Games gold medal with a stellar 5-1 win over Malaysia in the final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara on Saturday.

Manpreet, who became the only Indian hockey player to win three Asian Games gold medals, highlighted that the win's importance extends beyond Asian Games glory. "The Asian Games was an important tournament for us. We have directly qualified for LA (Olympics). So, we don't have to play the qualifier round, and we can work on ourselves and what we need to work on. Overall, we had a very good performance in all the Asian Games," Manpreet told IANS after the gold medal win.

India had also qualified for the Paris Olympics 2024 too after the Men in Blue had won the Hangzhou Asiad in 2023. That also helped the Indian team get a handful of time for preparation, and they returned with yet another bronze, after having won the third prize during the Tokyo Games 2021. India were the only team to have won a medal at both Tokyo and Paris Olympics, with the other two medallists having changed across the two editions.

The victory also gives India a shot in the arm after having endured a poor World Cup outing in August. The Men in Blue were eighth in the tournament and failed to qualify for the semifinals.

While the men's team won the Asiad gold, the women's team also booked a direct place in the LA 2028 after winning a gold at the continental showpiece. The Salima Tete-led side defeated reigning Olympic silver medallists China in the Asiad final by 1-0.

This was the first time that both Indian men and women won the Asian Games gold in the same edition. This was India women's only second gold medal at the continental event after their only gold victory in the 1982 Games.

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian men's hockey had faced intense criticism after failing to reach the semi-finals of the FIH World Cup, but the team had a golden redemption on Saturday, successfully defending its Asian Games crown and earning a direct berth to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

It’s the first time that India have successfully defended their Asian Games hockey gold, which also makes Harmanpreet Singh the first Indian captain to lead the team to two gold medals in the continental event. Overall, it’s India’s fifth Asian Games men’s hockey gold – adding to the top-place finishes in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2023.

As FIh World Cup in August, the Indian men's team failed to make the semis after finishing last in Pool E in the second stage after suffering defeats against the Netherlands (1-3) and Argentina (3-5), drawing widespread criticism from fans and oundits across.

But, with the historic Asian Games gold and a ticket to LA 2028 Olympics, the Harmanpreet Singh-led side silenced its critics in style. Speaking about the same, midfielder Hardik Sigh said though fans were quite disappointed after the team's performance at the World Cup, they don't know what was going on in players' minds at the time, adding that "players were more disappointed than the fans."

"Fans and media were disappointed after the World Cup. But you don't know what's going on in players' minds. And for me personally, it was really hard because we knew that we were underdogs in the Tokyo Olympics. In Paris, we have done well, and our country was with us. There was hope in the World Cup," Hardik told IANS after India defended Asian Games gold medal.

Hardik further urged fans to not just support the team in one tournament but back them throughout their journey.

"I just want to say one thing. If you are cheering for us. Don't come for only the World Cup. There are matches of our league. You can come there and watch us. We know that we are disappointed in the World Cup. There is no one more disappointed than the athletes," he added.

Highlighting the example of Belgian fans, the midfielder recalled that when Belgium finished seventh in the Hockey World Cup, there were no negative comments for them in social media.

"If you see the Belgium team when they lost. There was no negative comment on their social media. We were really wondering, 'These are the fans," said Hardik. "We have just won. So everyone will say that it was their goal. But if we had lost, they would have said that they couldn't do it. If you want to support us. Please come forward. And follow our hockey journey."

Sharing his feeling after the gold medal win, Hardik revealed that the team "hasn't been able to sleep well for the last five or six days. The goal was to win the gold medal. What we didn't do in the World Cup, we have to do here. We have to show our hockey to the whole world. That was our target. And that's what we did."

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 4 (SocialNews.XYZ) Former India trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari has been unanimously elected as a member of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Athletes Commission, following the conclusion of the Athletes Committee elections at the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya.

Rajeshwari was nominated by the OCA Executive Board to represent the South Asian region. She became the second Indian to serve on the OCA Athletes Commission, joining Vice-Chairman Shiva Keshavan. She will represent the athletes of South Asia on the Commission.

A silver medallist in Women’s Trap at the 2023 Asian Games, Rajeshwari also represented India at the Paris Olympic Games. Widely known as Ria, she brings extensive experience as an athlete and a unique understanding of the Asian Games movement.

Speaking on her election, Rajeshwari said:

"I am deeply honoured and humbled by this recognition. I am sincerely grateful to the Indian Olympic Association, its President, Dr. P. T. Usha, and the IOA for placing their trust in me and nominating me for this prestigious honour.

," Rajeshwari said.

"I am equally thankful to the Olympic Council of Asia and the Athletes Commission for their confidence in me and for considering me worthy of this responsibility. This means a great deal to me personally, and I accept it with humility, gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility.

Having experienced sport and competition as an athlete myself, I understand the aspirations, challenges and dreams that lie behind every athlete’s journey. I look forward to contributing with sincerity and commitment, and to doing my part to strengthen the voice of athletes and serve the Olympic Movement with integrity," she added.

The newly elected members are Amir Maimuratov from Kazakhstan, Reem Al Sharshani from Qatar, Naoto Tobe from Japan and Thanyalak Chophibunsin from Thailand.

In addition to the four elected members, are Amir Maimuratov from Kazakhstan, Reem Al Sharshani from Qatar, Naoto Tobe from Japan and Thanyalak Chophibunsin from Thailand.

Rajeshwari and the four newly elected members will join the existing members of the OCA Athletes Committee, together representing athletes from across the OCA’s regions.

The committee will now begin its programme of activities for the new term 2026-2030, with a focus on strengthening athlete representation and ensuring that the voices of athletes continue to contribute to the development of sport in Asia.

A total of nine candidates were bidding for one of four places on the committee – a female representative for West Asia (2 candidates), a male athlete for Central Asia (3 candidates), a male athlete for East Asia (3 candidates) and a female athlete for Southeast Asia (one candidate).

Athletes attending the 20th Asian Games were able to vote in polling stations on the cruise ship athletes’ village, the temporary villas at Garden Pier or at one of 75 hotels.

A total of 5,215 votes were cast during the election from September 20 to October 2.

Source: IANS

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Kakamigahara, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) India midfielder Manpreet Singh said the team remained focused on its goal despite criticism surrounding its campaign as the defending champions retained their Asian Games hockey gold with a commanding 5-1 win over Malaysia in the final here on Saturday.

The victory at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium not only gave India their first-ever successful defence of the men’s hockey gold at the Asian Games but also secured a direct qualification berth for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

“Actually, there are many things that happen outside the box. Criticism keeps going on, but our focus was not on that. We had come here to achieve something, and we achieved that today,” Manpreet told IANS after the final.

The Indian team had faced scrutiny ahead of the Asian Games but produced a dominant campaign, winning all five of their group-stage matches before edging past Pakistan 4-3 in a dramatic semifinal.

Manpreet said the Asian Games gold and direct Olympic qualification would now allow India to focus on improving specific areas of their game instead of having to go through the qualification route for LA 2028.

“The Asian Games was a very important tournament for us because from here we have directly qualified for LA. We don’t have to play the qualifier round now, so we can work on ourselves, identify the areas where we need to improve and see how we can go to LA better prepared,” he said.

Reflecting on the final, Manpreet credited India’s defence for keeping Malaysia under control while also making the most of their opportunities in attack. “From the start to the end, our defence was very good. Whenever we got chances, whether through penalty corners or field goals, we converted them,” he said.

India captain Harmanpreet Singh opened the scoring in the 11th minute through a penalty corner, but Malaysia equalised through Shello Silverius before Jugraj Singh restored India’s lead in the 23rd minute.

Hardik Singh then converted a penalty stroke in the third quarter to make it 3-1 before Shilanand Lakra extended India’s advantage in the 54th minute. Harmanpreet completed his brace through another penalty-corner conversion as India sealed a 5-1 victory.

Manpreet also reflected on India’s semifinal against Pakistan and said the team had to keep emotions under control against their traditional rivals. “Against Pakistan, it is always about playing them like we play any other team. If we bring too many emotions into it, we can make more mistakes. Our focus was on the game plan and the structure we were given and where we could punish them,” he said.

Meanwhile, forward Dilpreet Singh said the gold medal was the result of the team’s sustained hard work and long-term preparation, with direct qualification for LA also one of their primary objectives. “Our whole team is very happy because we have been training for this for a long time and have worked very hard. Our aim was to win gold and confirm our qualification for LA,” Dilpreet told IANS.

He said the team had learnt from the narrow semifinal win over Pakistan and entered the final determined to produce a more convincing performance.

“There was no pressure, but after the semifinal, which we won very closely, everyone had the same mindset that we had to learn from the mistakes we made there and win the final by a good margin,” he said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian Golf Premier League (IGPL) will award Pranavi Urs a cheque of ₹1 crore for winning the women's individual golf gold at the Asian Games 2026 and becoming the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games gold in golf in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday.

In addition, the league will award ₹25 lakh each to the Indian women's team of Pranavi, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar for winning silver in the team event. The award recognises the trio's collective achievement in securing India's first medal in the event.

Anurag Singh Thakur, a five-term Member of Parliament from Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel, and former Cabinet Minister, Government of India, formally made the announcement on stage on behalf of IGPL, its franchisees and partner organisations at Qutab Golf Course in New Delhi.

"India waited 24 years for a golf gold at the Asian Games, and Pranavi got it for us today. The way she won it says a lot about her. She lost her lead on one hole in the final round and still came back to win, when most players would have folded. Aditi, Diksha and Pranavi also brought home a team silver, so this is a big day for Indian women's golf. I am glad IGPL has come forward straight away to reward them. Every young golfer watching should know that when you do well for India, people will back you," said Anurag Singh Thakur.

Pranavi, 23, from Mysuru, finished on 15-under 265 at the Kasugai Country Club East Course. Singapore's Shannon Xuan Yin Tan and China's Yin Ruoning tied for second, one shot back on 14-under 266. Pranavi started the last round three shots clear, but a triple bogey on the par-four third hole wiped out her lead. She birdied the sixth and played the rest of the round steadily to sign for an even-par 70. India had not won a golf gold at the Asian Games since Shiv Kapur took the men's individual title in 2002.

Reflecting on Pranavi Urs’ Asian Games gold and the conclusion of the IGPL Delhi Leg and Pro-Am Day, Anurag Singh Thakur said: “To produce more golfers like Pranavi, we need to address the gap that emerges after school. When players move to colleges, universities, or professional courses, many shift their focus towards building careers.

"IGPL is one of the tournaments that provides such a platform, but there are not many like it. We need to invest more money and energy in building that ecosystem,” he said.

Pranavi also played her part in the team event alongside Olympians Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar. The three finished on 14-under, behind China. Aditi saved her best round for Saturday, a three-under 67 with six birdies in a row on the back nine, which helped India hold on to silver.

Leander Paes, Olympic bronze medallist and 18-time Grand Slam champion, who hosted the IGPL Invitational in Mauritius earlier this year, said, "I have stood on a podium for India, and there is no feeling like it. What I liked most about Pranavi was her final round. A triple bogey that early on the last day of an Asian Games can finish you off, but she stayed patient and played her way back. You don't learn that overnight. It comes from years of work that nobody sees.”

Pranavi's sister, Vidharti Urs, who was also present on the Pro-Am day of the IGPL, said, “Since day one, I think she's an aggressive player. She wants to hit the ball hard. But that's all I can say.”

IGPL has been working to get Indian golfers into stronger golfing recognition, and the second season of the tournament will head to Hyderabad starting 7th October and will run till 9th October after Delhi

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh believes the Indian teams have given the best possible response to criticism surrounding their new orange jerseys after both the men’s and women’s sides clinched gold medals at the Asian Games 2026.

The orange kit had become a talking point in the build-up to the FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games after Hockey India moved away from the traditional blue jersey. The change had drawn criticism from former players including Viren Rasquinha, who questioned the decision to move away from the colour long associated with Indian hockey.

However, with both Indian teams returning from the Asian Games with gold medals, Bhola Nath said the results on the field had answered the critics.

“The orange jersey was selected by the players themselves. They liked the colour, they wanted it, and now it will remain. I have found it lucky for our team. Both the men’s and women’s teams have won gold medals wearing it. It is a great answer to all the critics,” Bhola Nath Singh told IANS.

The Hockey India official also recalled the criticism the teams had faced before travelling to the Asian Games and said the players responded by producing results when it mattered most. “Just before coming to the Asian Games, this team faced a lot of criticism, but they responded in the best possible way on the field,” he added.

The colour change had sparked debate after Hockey India unveiled the saffron-dominated kit for the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup. The federation had explained that the decision was taken after consultations with players, coaches and support staff, with visibility on the blue synthetic turf cited as one of the key technical considerations.

Hockey India had said the blue kit could blend into the playing surface and affect visibility, while saffron and yellow were considered as alternatives before the players and coaching staff settled on saffron. The federation also pointed to the colour’s significance as part of the Indian national flag.

The controversy intensified after Rasquinha questioned the move, arguing that blue had traditionally represented the identity of Indian hockey and was closely associated with the team among supporters.

But the Asian Games campaign has given the orange jersey a different narrative. The Indian women’s team ended a 44-year wait for the Asian Games gold medal, producing a landmark campaign to reclaim the continental title. Their triumph also secured India’s qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The men’s team, meanwhile, successfully defended its Asian Games title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia in the final. Harmanpreet Singh scored twice, while Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra also found the net as India retained the gold medal.

Source: IANS

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Kakamigahara, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) With their best-ever score in a final, the Indian men’s hockey team ended its Asian Games 2026 campaign in Japan on a historic note by retaining its crown — a second consecutive Asian Games gold — with an emphatic 5-1 win over Malaysia at Kakamigahara, Japan, in the final.

It’s the first time that India have successfully defended its Asian Games hockey gold medal, which also makes Harmanpreet Singh the first Indian captain to lead the team to two gold medals in the continental event. Overall, it’s India’s fifth gold in Asian Games men’s hockey – adding to the top-place finishes in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2023.

The men’s team’s gold-medal win makes it the best-ever Asian Games performance for India, which ended up winning both the men’s and women’s hockey gold medals for the first time in the same edition of the Asian Games.

The 5-1 margin of victory is also India’s joint biggest in an Asian Games final, equaling their 5-1 win over Japan in Hangzhou three years ago.

Adding to the list of records created, star playmaker Manpreet Singh won his third Asian Games gold medal – becoming the only Indian hockey player to do so.

Captain Harmanpreet Singh led from the front in the final, contributing to India’s scoreline with a brace. His fellow drag-flicker and defender Jugraj Singh joined him on the scoresheet, followed by Hardik Singh, who converted a penalty stroke, and Shilanand Lakra, who hit a field goal. For Malaysia, Shello Silverius raised hopes by making it 1-1, but India controlled proceedings and put the game beyond Malaysia’s reach.

Malaysia began cautiously, clearly wary of conceding an early goal, while both teams relied heavily on aerial balls to gain territory in the opening exchanges. The midfield lacked its usual fluidity, with neither side able to establish sustained control.

India came close in the fifth minute when Harmanpreet intercepted a Malaysian move and helped initiate an attack. Vivek Sagar Prasad had time to aim at a tight angle, but his reverse-stick attempt sailed over the crossbar. A minute later, Malaysia’s two deep defenders denied Dilpreet Singh an opportunity from close range.

India eventually broke the deadlock in the 11th minute. Harmanpreet found Hardik Singh on the right flank with a long slap-push, and Hardik quickly set up Abhishek, who earned India their first of 14 penalty corners. After the initial attempt resulted in a re-take, Harmanpreet stepped up and fired a low drag-flick straight through the centre to beat goalkeeper Zaimi Deris Mat and make it 1-0.

Malaysia, however, responded almost immediately. Shello Silverius controlled a scoop pass into the Indian circle and struck on the volley to beat Suraj Karkera, restoring parity at 1-1 in the 14th minute. India nearly regained the lead moments later, but Dilpreet’s tomahawk was palmed away by Deris Mat.

Malaysia earned a penalty corner early in the second quarter following a turnover, and goalkeeper Mohith HS, who replaced Karkera, made an important save by blocking a close-range effort with his body. Malaysia secured another PC through a successful video referral, but Faizal Saari’s flick struck Manpreet Singh’s foot. India survived the ensuing re-take.

In the 23rd minute, Jugraj Singh took responsibility on a penalty corner while Harmanpreet was off the pitch and unleashed a powerful drag-flick into the corner to restore India’s lead at 2-1.

Malaysia pressed for an equaliser before half-time, but India’s defence held firm.

India continued to attack after the break, using the right flank effectively, with Hardik Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh trying to set up Indian attackers in the Malaysian circle, but it didn’t bring the desired results.

Their pressure eventually produced another major opening in the 42nd minute. Sanjay created a penalty corner, and a variation attempted by Harmanpreet and Mandeep Singh ended up in a deflection hitting the Malaysian defender’s body on the goal line. The resulting penalty stroke was protested by Malaysia with a video referral, but it proved unsuccessful, and Hardik Singh coolly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to make it 3-1.

India entered the final quarter with a two-goal cushion and continued attacking. Rajinder Singh came close in the 50th minute, while a prolonged penalty-corner sequence two minutes later saw India repeatedly test the Malaysian defence.

The pressure finally paid off in the 54th minute. Shilanand Lakra combined brilliantly with Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh before finishing from close range to make it 4-1 and put the result firmly beyond Malaysia’s reach.

India then added the finishing touch in the 57th minute. Awarded another penalty corner, Harmanpreet came up and unleashed his drag-flick past the Malaysian defence for his second goal of the match, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 victory.

After a closely contested first half, India’s control, attacking pressure and efficiency in the decisive moments carried them to a historic Asian Games gold medal.

This is the fifth time that India have won a gold medal in the Asian Games, bagging the top spot on the podium in 1966, 1998, 2014, 2022 and 2026. The Indian men's hockey team finished runners-up on nine occasions -- in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982*, 1990, 1994 and in02. The country has claimed bronze medals in 1986, 2010, and 2018.

Source: IANS

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New Chandigarh, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Talismanic batter Virat Kohli handed fast bowler Anshul Kamboj his debut ODI cap ahead of the third match against the West Indies here at the New PCA Stadium on Saturday, and advised the young pacer to believe in his abilities.

Kamboj, who has already represented India in Test cricket by playing the Manchester Test against England last year, has become the 266th player to represent the country in the 50-over format.

“Anshul, big congratulations to you, Cap 266. We know you already played Test cricket for India. The reason is that, because of your consistency and clarity of thought, you got the opportunity to represent India in the whites, which is the greatest honour. But very few people get to become multi-format players,” said Kohli while presenting the cap in the team huddle, in a video posted on BCCI’s social media accounts on Saturday.

Kamboj joined the Indian team on Friday after being pulled out of India A’s second four-day game against Australia A in Puducherry, as fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was ruled out due to a left hamstring injury sustained in the second ODI in Guwahati.

“So another proud moment for you and your family. I just mentioned you have the skill sets; we've all seen that in the IPL with white ball cricket, the clarity with which you bowl and the areas that you bowl make it very difficult for batsmen to go after you. So believe in yourself in the same way; we'll all back you, and congratulations and a very proud moment for you,” added Kohli.

The Karnal-based Kamboj, who made a strong impression in domestic cricket for Haryana and the IPL before breaking into the national setup, expressed delight at earning his ODI debut. “Obviously, it's a dream of a player to play for his national team. So I'm feeling quite good, and I'm just looking to make sure that I play a good level of cricket,” he said.

Source: IANS

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Aichi-Nagoya, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) With double gold medals in cricket and hockey, and dominant performances in archery, boxing and athletics, India concluded a successful Asian Games 2026 campaign in fourth place on the medals table with 85 medals, falling short of the country's record haul from Hangzhou three years ago.

About 500 Indian athletes took part in the 20th edition of the Continental multisport event in Aichi-Nagoya, and India ended up with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals.

India's total was the second-highest ever at the Asian Games, the record being 106 medals earned by a team of 650 athletes at Hangzhou 2023. In Hangzhou, the country had secured 28 gold, 38 silver and 40 bronze medals.

In Aichi-Nagoya, athletics was India's leading source of medals, bringing in 24, while shooting, on the other hand, secured 15, three of which were gold medals. In terms of gold medals, archery was ahead of the others with five instances of finishing in the top three, and boxing also won three golds.

Lovlina Borgohain was one of India's boxers to win a gold medal, being the second Indian woman to achieve this after Mary Kom at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal were declared champions in wrestling.

India had a successful campaign in team sports as well. The women's and men's cricket teams defended their titles at the Asian Games, winning by beating Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the final matches, respectively. Both the men's and women's kabaddi teams won gold medals, and India's women's hockey team finally ended its 44-year wait for an Asian Games title.

History was also made by several athletes in Japan.

Pranavi Urs won the first gold medal for an Indian woman at the Asian Games in golf, and 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod became the first Indian woman to win individual recurve gold at the continental championships.

Mohod was part of the Indian women's recurve team that won the gold medal, together with Ankita Bhakat and Kirti Sharma, who were the first Indian women to claim the team recurve title at the Games.

Neeru Dhanda of India won the first individual gold medal of the event in the women's trap competition, and Kumkum and Suruchi Singh matched Asian records as they secured gold in the mixed team 10m air pistol event.

Vithya Ramraj won a bronze medal by breaking a national record in the women's 400 metres hurdles that had stood for 42 years, while Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav each secured a position on the podium in the men's javelin, with Singh taking silver and Yadav bronze, even though Neeraj Chopra was unable to take part in the Games due to injury.

Sawan Barwal secured India's first marathon medal since 1982 and at the same time set a national record, while Sarvesh Kushare finally ended India's 56-year wait for a men's high jump medal. Baranica Elangovan also broke new ground by becoming the first Indian pole vaulter to win a medal at the Asian Games.

The country's campaign also included a number of firsts in various sports, such as Suchika Tariyal securing the nation's first medal in the Asian Games in mixed martial arts, and Jay Meena achieving the same feat in soft tennis by getting to the semifinals.

Mirabai Chanu secured a silver medal in the women's 49kg weightlifting event -- her first at the continental event and thus made it India's first Asian Games medal in the sport since 1998 in Bangkok. Roshibina Devi won her third consecutive continental medal in wushu, and Seema Kumari finally ended India's 16-year drought over a women's 10,000m medal.

Anahat Singh achieved the distinction of becoming the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in the singles event at the Asian Games, and both Anahat and Abhay Singh came very close to winning the gold medal since they lost in the finals of their respective singles events.

India has also obtained the quotas for the LA 2028 Olympics in archery and hockey. The seven sports that were granting Olympic quotas at Aichi-Nagoya were archery, hockey, sailing, squash, surfing, tennis and triathlon.

By winning their places in both the men's and women's hockey events as well as in the compound mixed team and women's individual recurve events in archery, India has given its already historic Asian Games campaign an Olympic dimension.

India ended up coming behind its record-breaking showing at Hangzhou, having won 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals, but its campaign included several historic firsts, record-breaking performances and successful defences of titles.

Their best haul came on Friday, claiming 12 medals including six gold medals -- three of them in boxing. On Saturday, the 17th and penultimate day, India bagged nine medals, winning gold medals in cricket and hockey, adding to those won by their women's teams, while Aman Sehrawat, Kumkum Anil Mohod and golfer Pranavi Urs claimed gold medals in individual events.

The Men’s Cricket Team held its nerve to beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the final and retained the gold medal; Kumkum Anil Mohod scripted history with India’s first-ever women’s recurve individual gold while Aman Sehrawat powered his way to Wrestling gold, Antim Panghal secured silver, and Deepak Punia added bronze.

Pranavi Sharath Ursmade history by winning the first gold by an Indian female golfer in Women’s Individual Golf, with India’s Women’s Team adding a historic silver. Neeraj Chauhan completed an all-Indian podium moment with a bronze medal.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday congratulated Aman Sehrawat and Deepak Punia on their medal-winning performances in wrestling at the Asian Games 2026, praising their achievements for inspiring the next generation of Indian wrestlers.

Congratulating Aman on his gold medal in the men’s freestyle 57 kg category. The president said the Indian wrestler had “fought your way to the top” and claimed the highest honour in his category.

“Heartiest congratulations to you, Aman Sehrawat, on winning the Gold Medal in the Men’s Freestyle 57 kg category in Wrestling at the Asian Games 2026. You have fought your way to the top and claimed the highest honour in your category. Your golden performance will inspire many young wrestlers across the country to pursue excellence,” President Murmu posted on X.

Aman defeated reigning world champion Han Chong-song of North Korea 11-7 in a thrilling final to become the first Indian to win an Asian Games gold in the men’s 57 kg freestyle category.

The 23-year-old had earlier produced a strong comeback in the semifinal, recovering from a 2-6 deficit against Tajikistan’s Aiaal Belolyubskii to win 14-8. He had begun his campaign with a 20-9 technical superiority victory over Japan’s Yamato Ogawa before beating Kazakhstan’s Nurdanat Aitanov 12-1 in the quarterfinals.

President Murmu also congratulated Deepak Punia after the Indian wrestler secured bronze in the men’s freestyle 97 kg category.

“Congratulations to Deepak Punia on securing the Bronze Medal in the Men’s 97 kg Freestyle Wrestling event at the Asian Games 2026. Your spectacular performance has brought India a medal in this weight category after six decades. May this historic achievement inspire a new generation of wrestlers to dream big and strive for excellence,” she posted.

Deepak defeated Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar in the bronze-medal bout after suffering a narrow 8-9 defeat to Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Poyonov in the semifinal.

He had earlier beaten China’s Zhou Junpeng 12-2 before advancing to the quarterfinals via forfeit. The bronze is Deepak’s second Asian Games medal after he won silver in the men’s 86 kg category at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

His medal also ended a six-decade wait for India in the men’s freestyle 97 kg category. Maruti Mane had won gold in the category at the 1962 Asian Games, while Ganpat Andalkar won silver in the same edition. Bishwanath Singh and Bhim Singh later won silver and bronze, respectively, in 1966.

—IANS

sds/bsk/

Source: IANS

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Nagoya (Japan), Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Indian men’s golf team finished sixth at the Asian Games 2026 following the conclusion of the fourth and final round at the Kasugai Country Club East Course in Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday.

The Indian men’s team, consisting of Veer Ahlawat, Saptak Talwar and Yuvraj Sandhu totaled 18-under 542 to take sixth position. China won the gold medal with a total of 28-under 532, with South Korea taking silver at 26-under 534 and Japan claiming bronze at 23-under 537.

In the men’s individual competition, the Indian duo of Saptak Talwar (66-68-71-66) and Veer Ahlawat (71-68-65-67) finished tied sixth at totals of nine-under 271.

Saptak’s four-under 66 in round four featured six birdies and a double-bogey while Veer’s three-under 67 included five birdies and two bogeys. Yuvraj Sandhu (71-69-71-70) carded a final round of even-par 70 to finish tied 24th at one-over 281.

South Korea’s Joohyung Kim captured the gold medal after ending the week with a total of 18-under 262.

There was a playoff for the silver and bronze medals after Japan’s Kazuki Higa, Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and China’s Wenyi Ding ended up with matching totals of 15-under 265. Eventually, Japan’s Higa claimed the silver while Thailand’s Kaewkanjana took the bronze.

Pranavi Urs wins women's gold

The Indian women’s golf team enjoyed a memorable campaign, with Pranavi Urs (66-63-66-70) creating history by winning the individual gold medal — becoming the first Indian woman golfer to achieve the feat at the Asian Games. Urs closed with an even-par 70 featuring three birdies and a triple-bogey to finish at 15-under 265, one stroke clear of the chasing field.

Urs’ performance also helped India secure the silver medal in the women’s team event, alongside Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar. India finished second in the team event with a total of 14-under 546, eight shots behind winner China.

Overall, India have won seven medals in golf before the 2026 edition, claiming four silver medals besides the three gold.

Source: IANS

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Nisshin, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) India head coach VVS Laxman described the team’s successful Asian Games title defence as a “special” achievement after the men’s cricket team beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win the gold medal in Nisshin, Japan on Saturday.

“It’s definitely special, you know, to defend the gold medal. Two years back, we won in China, and again now. I feel really happy for the players, because it’s definitely an honour, something different for our players. A lot of them have won the World Cup, but for many of them, this is the first time they’re winning the gold medal. I’m sure it’s a matter of great pride for all of them,” Laxman told reporters.

Abhishek Sharma's breathtaking 61 off 28, Tilak Varma's unbeaten 51 off 22 and an all-round effort from Washington Sundar, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube helped India clinch back-to-back Asian Games gold medals in men's cricket as they beat Pakistan by 19 runs in a thrilling final.

India produced a brilliant, breathless and golden finish after posting 211/6 in 20 overs, with Abhishek setting the tone with the fastest fifty by an Indian against Pakistan in T20Is before Tilak and Dube provided a late flourish.

“So, I feel really happy. I thought we really stuck together and played well. It was quite challenging since we came to Japan. You know, the rain followed us in Tokyo and then to the venue here. But overall, I think the team really played well, and I’m very happy with the result,” he said.

But Pakistan were not going down without a fight and were powered by a magnificent 96 off 51 from Hasan Nawaz. But India's spinners and all-rounders held their nerve in a frenzied finish, with Dube taking the wicket of Nawaz on the final ball to end Pakistan's innings at 192 for 6 and sending the Indian players into wild celebrations.

The Indian women's team had also won a gold after beating Sri Lanka in the final.

The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men's cricket, after they also finished on top in Hangzhou in 2023.

Source: IANS

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Kakamigahara (Japan), Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) India defended the gold medal in men's hockey after a strong 4-1 win over Malaysia in the Asian Games 2026 final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara on Saturday.

Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace, while Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra also found the back of the net for India as the Men in Blue celebrated their first-ever gold defence at the Asian Games. Meanwhile, India have also clinched a direct berth for the Los Angeles Olympics with this win.

Harmanpreet Singh's team came into the final without breaking a sweat. They topped their group stage with five wins in five matches. The Men in Blue defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the semifinal by 4-3. That game tested India as Pakistan levelled from 0-3 down to 3-3. However, Abhishek nailed a strike in the final minute to take India home.

Meanwhile, this is also the first time that India men and women have both won the gold medal at the same edition of the Asian Games. The women's team won the yellow metal in the final after defeating Paris Olympics silver medallists China in the gold clash.

India men began the gold medal clash with strong intent as they made circle entries in the first quarter and then found the opening through captain Harmanpreet when he fired a dragflick on a penalty corner to put India 1-0 up in the 11th minute.

Malaysia, however, responded as they levelled things back a few minutes later with Shello Silverius smashing a brilliant goal from the left flank as Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera was blindsided by a layer of players in front of him. The two teams were 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Malaysia attacked more in the second half as they secured a few penalty corners and tested the Indian defence. India later earned a PC, and Jugraj put India ahead in the 23rd minute, giving India a 2-1 lead at the end of the first half.

India began the second half with strong possession and also kept putting pressure on the Malaysians. They earned a couple of penalty corners and then a penalty stroke when the ball hit the body of the Malaysian post defender. Hardik turned up and scored from the spot for a 3-1 India lead at the end of the third quarter.

India kept Malaysia in check with a counterattack, and then Sanjay found Rajinder in the circle, but his shot went wide. India found their fourth goal in the 54th minute when Shilanand put one into the goal after a deflection to make it 4-1 for India. Captain Harmanpreet then got his brace when he converted a penalty corner for a 5-1 lead, which the Men in Blue held for a huge win.

This is the fifth time that India have won a gold medal in the Asian Games, bagging the top spot on the podium in 1966, 1998, 2014, 2022 and 2026. The Indian men's hockey team finished runners-up on nine occasions -- in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982*, 1990, 1994 and i002. The country has claimed bronze medals in 1986, 2010, and 2018.

Source: IANS

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Nishio, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s Antim Panghal settled for the silver medal in the women’s 53 kg wrestling event after losing 1-9 to Japan’s Moe Kiyooka in the gold-medal bout at the Asian Games 2026 here on Saturday.

Antim, who had won bronze in the same category at the Hangzhou Asian Games, began the final cautiously against the home favourite as Kiyooka took an early lead in front of a packed crowd at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Center.

The Japanese wrestler was awarded a point after Antim was unable to score during the passivity period, before extending her advantage to 2-0 by the end of the opening period.

Antim tried to find her way back into the contest and briefly appeared to have brought Kiyooka down on her leg to score a point. However, the Japanese wrestler quickly powered the Indian out of the mat. Antim challenged the decision, but her review was unsuccessful.

With time running out, Antim was forced to become more attacking in an attempt to close the gap. Kiyooka capitalised on the opening, attacking Antim’s leg and completing a takedown to extend her lead to 9-1 and seal the gold medal.

Despite the defeat, Antim’s silver marked another significant achievement in her Asian Games career. It is her second medal at the continental showpiece after the bronze she won at Hangzhou in 2022.

The 21-year-old had produced a dominant run to reach the final, opening her campaign with a 9-0 victory over Kazakhstan’s Shugyla Omirbek before defeating Uzbekistan’s Sakibjamal Esbosynova 8-0 in the quarterfinals.

She then overcame China’s Jin Zhang 6-1 in the semifinal. After conceding the opening point, Antim responded strongly by scoring six unanswered points to book her place in the title clash.

Her qualification for the final had already placed her in an elite group, making her the only third Indian woman wrestler after Geetika Jakhar and Vinesh Phogat to reach an Asian Games wrestling final.

Antim is also the first Indian woman wrestler to win a medal for the country at the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya Games.

Her silver is India’s sixth wrestling medal at the Games and adds to a productive day for the country’s wrestlers, with Aman Sehrawat winning gold in the men’s freestyle 57 kg category and Deepak Punia securing bronze in the men’s 97 kg event.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Pranavi Sharath Urs and Kumkum Anil Mohod for scripting history with gold medals in women’s individual golf and recurve archery, respectively.

Modi described the victories as memorable sporting moments for the nation and extended his best wishes to the athletes and the cricket team for their future endeavours.

"One for the history books! Congratulations to Pranavi Sharath Urs on winning India’s first-ever Gold in Women’s Individual Golf at the Asian Games. Her superb finish has given the nation a sporting moment to remember. May this victory draw more young Indians to the game and inspire them to aim for the very top. Well played and best wishes to Pranavi," PM Modi posted on X.

Pranavi produced a 15-under 265 total over four rounds at Kasugai Country Club East Course to claim the title. She entered the final round with a three-stroke lead and recovered from a triple bogey on the third hole with birdies on the sixth, 10th and 13th before finishing the round at even-par 70.

"Gold that will always be remembered. Congratulations to Kumkum Anil Mohod on becoming the first Indian woman to win Recurve Individual Gold at the 2026 Asian Games. Her composure in the decisive shoot-off was particularly outstanding. May she keep aiming higher! Best wishes for her future endeavours," posted PM Modi.

The teenager secured the individual title after a dramatic final against South Korea’s Yejin Oh. The contest was tied at 5-5 after five sets before Kumkum prevailed in the one-arrow shoot-off, responding to Oh’s 8 with a 10.

Her victory also secured an individual quota place for India for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Source: IANS

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Nagoya, Oct 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) India’s Deepak Punia clinched the bronze medal in the men’s freestyle 97 kg wrestling event at the Asian Games 2026 after defeating Mongolia’s Gankhuyag Ganbaatar by 2-1 in the medal bout here on Saturday.

Deepak, who had won silver in the men’s 86 kg category at the 2023 Asian Games, added another medal to his tally with a composed performance in a cagey, low-scoring contest.

The Indian wrestler secured two early points and managed to hold on to his advantage against Ganbaatar to finish third and add to India’s medal haul in wrestling. Deepak scored two points in the opening period and then defended well despite conceding one in the second to hold on for the win.

Deepak began his campaign with a commanding 12-2 victory over China’s Zhou Junpeng. He then advanced to the semifinals without having to wrestle his quarterfinal, as Hong Kong's Li Wui Fung Vincent failed to appear for the bout.

In the semifinal, Deepak was involved in a closely fought contest against Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Poyonov. The Indian fought hard but eventually went down 8-9, sending him into the bronze-medal bout.

He bounced back strongly to defeat Ganbaatar and finish the competition on the podium.

Deepak’s bronze is only the fifth medal won by an Indian wrestler in the men’s freestyle 97 kg category at the Asian Games across editions.

India’s first medal in the category came through Maruti Mane, who won gold at the 1962 Asian Games. Ganpat Andalkar followed with a silver in the same edition, while Bishwanath Singh won another silver in 1966. Bhim Singh then secured bronze in the 1966 Asian Games.

The bronze also adds to what has been a memorable day for Indian men’s freestyle wrestling at the ongoing Games.

Earlier on Saturday, Aman Sehrawat defeated reigning world champion Han Chong-song of North Korea 11-7 to win gold in the men’s 57 kg category. He became the first Indian to win an Asian Games gold in the 57 kg freestyle division.

Sujeet Kalkal had earlier ended India’s wait for a wrestling gold at the Games by clinching the men’s 65 kg title with a dramatic 10-9 comeback win over Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiyev.

With Aman and Sujeet winning gold and Deepak securing bronze, India have enjoyed a strong showing in men’s freestyle wrestling in Nagoya.

Aman’s gold also marked the first time since 1978 that India have won two gold medals in men’s freestyle wrestling at a single Asian Games.

Source: IANS

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