The gold rush continued for India at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, as Indian athletes delivered a stellar performance on Day 14, clinching 17 gold medals in Boxing, Wrestling and Archery in a spectacular display of skill, determination and sporting excellence. Teenager Kumkum Mohod clinched gold in the women’s individual recurve event at the Asian Games, defeating South Korea’s Oh Yejin in a dramatic shoot-off.
After the final was tied 5-5, Kumkum shot a perfect 10 against Oh’s 8, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal in the individual recurve event. Earlier, Kumkum defeated China’s Jingyi Zhu 6-2 in the semifinal to secure a quota place for India for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The quota is awarded to the country, and Kumkum became the first Indian recurve archer to assure herself of a medal in the women’s individual event. In hockey, Defending champions India will take on against Malaysia, with the two teams meeting at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium with eyes on the gold medal and an LA 2028 Olympics quota.
Yesterday, Indian Women’s Hockey team clinched the gold medal, defeating defending champions China 1-nil in the closely fought final. Lalremsiami Hmarzote scored the decisive lone goal for India, while goalkeeper Savita Punia produced a crucial save from a penalty stroke to preserve the lead and secure the gold medal. The victory marks India’s first women hockey gold at the Asian Games in 44 years, ending a long wait for the title. The Women’s Hockey team has also secured a direct berth at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Earlier, Indian wrestler Sujeet Kalkal scripted a remarkable comeback to win the gold medal in the men’s 65-kilogram freestyle event. The 23-year-old Indian produced a stunning fightback in the final, recovering from a 4-9 deficit to defeat Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiev 10-9 and clinch the Asian Games title.
With this victory, Sujeet has joined the elite company of Yogeshwar Dutt and Bajrang Punia, becoming the third Indian wrestler to win Asian Games gold in the men’s 65-kilogram category.
In Boxing, Parveen Hooda won the gold medal in the women’s 65kg category, defeating Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen 3-2 in a split decision in the final. Ankush Panghal clinched the gold medal in the men’s 80-kilogram category, defeating South Korea’s Kim Minseong by a split decision, 4-0, in the final.
India’s star woman boxer Lovlina Borgohain also clinched a gold medal in the 75kg category, defeating China’s Bao Ziyi by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the final. It is India’s only second gold medal in women’s boxing at the Asian Games, following Mary Kom’s gold in 2014.
In Archery, the women’s recurve team created history by clinching its maiden Asian Games gold medal. The trio of Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod defeated world champions South Korea 5-3 in a thrilling final. India also bagged silver in the mixed recurve team event. Kumkum Mohod and Dhiraj Bommadevara finished runners-up after going down 3-5 to China in a closely contested final.
In Sepaktakraw, India secured the bronze medal in the men’s quadrant event. The Indian team lost 0-2 to Japan in the semi-final but earned a place on the podium. In Sailing, Nethra Kumanan clinched bronze in the women’s dinghy event. The 29-year-old Indian sailor finished third with an overall score of 14 points.
With these impressive performances, India has climbed to fifth position in the overall medal standings. The country’s medal tally has risen to 77, including 17 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze medals.