Archers sweep titles, shooters shine as medal tally surges.
India experienced a breakthrough day at the Asian Games in Aichi‑Nagoya on September 30, securing four gold medals that propelled the nation back into the top 10 of the medal standings. The victories came from compound archery, where Indian teams swept all three titles, and shooting, where Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai triumphed in mixed trap.
The women’s compound trio of Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep defended their crown with a world‑record score against China. Chikitha, making her debut, then paired with Sahil Jadhav in the mixed team final. After a tense shoot‑off against South Korea, the duo delivered flawless 10s to clinch gold and secure India’s first Olympic quota in compound archery for Los Angeles 2028. Later, Kushal Dalal, Sahil Jadhav and Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru edged China by a single point to complete the sweep, underscoring India’s dominance in the discipline.
In shooting, Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai produced a record‑breaking performance in the mixed trap final. Despite fatigue from competing in cold, rainy conditions the previous day, Neeru recovered to hit 13 consecutive targets, while Chenai missed only once. Their combined score of 34 out of 40 surpassed the previous Games record and secured India’s fourth gold of the day. For Neeru, it was her second gold in as many days, adding to her individual title.
Boxing made history as Lovlina Borgohain reached her second Asian Games final, becoming the first Indian woman to do so. Priya Ghanghas and Kapil Pokhariya earned bronzes in their debut campaigns. Wrestling added another medal through Sunil Kumar, who claimed bronze in the men’s 87kg Greco‑Roman category.
India’s women’s hockey team advanced to the final with a disciplined 2‑0 win over South Korea, keeping alive hopes of defending their title. Squash also guaranteed medals, with both men’s and women’s teams reaching the semifinals. In tennis, Sumit Nagal progressed to the singles quarterfinals, though other Indian players exited earlier.
By the close of September 30, India’s tally stood at 60 medals: 10 gold, 21 silver and 29 bronze. The golden surge not only lifted spirits but also reaffirmed India’s growing strength across disciplines. With archery and shooting leading the charge, and boxing and hockey poised for more, India’s campaign regained momentum at a crucial stage of the Games.
