India has scripted a historic chapter at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. As of October 3, the Indian contingent has bagged 80 medals — 18 gold, 26 silver and 36 bronze — climbing to fifth place in the overall medal standings. Two young champions, 17-year-old archer Kumkum Mohod and golfer Pranavi Urs, added golden gloss to the country’s campaign on Friday.
China continues to dominate the table with 323 medals (165 gold, 84 silver, 74 bronze), followed by hosts Japan with 248 (75 gold, 86 silver, 87 bronze). South Korea sits third with 142 medals (35 gold, 41 silver, 66 bronze), while Uzbekistan is fourth with 66 (20 gold, 23 silver, 23 bronze).
The biggest fireworks on Friday came on the archery range. Kumkum Mohod edged South Korea’s Oh Yejin 6-5 in a nerve-shredding shoot-off to claim the women’s individual recurve gold — becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve gold at the Asian Games. Neeraj Chauhan added a bronze in the men’s individual recurve event.
Golf witnessed history too. Pranavi Urs won the women’s individual title, becoming the first Indian woman to claim an individual golf gold at the Asian Games. Urs then teamed up with Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar to secure the women’s team silver.
The surge follows a spectacular October 2 for India. The women’s hockey team ended a 44-year wait for gold with a 1-0 win over China in the final, also sealing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Indian boxers completed a golden hat-trick — Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Parveen Hooda (65kg) and Ankush Panghal (80kg) all stood on the top step of the podium. Wrestler Sujeet Kalkal clinched the men’s 65kg title with a dramatic comeback.
The women’s recurve team — Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod — stunned world champions South Korea 5-3 to win India’s first-ever Asian Games team gold in the discipline. Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu’s silver ended a 28-year medal drought for India in the sport. Double gold medallist trap shooter Neeru Dhanda has been named India’s flag-bearer at the closing ceremony.
