India produced one of their biggest medal hauls of the Asian Games on Saturday, with gold medals coming in men’s hockey, T20 cricket, wrestling, golf and archery.The men’s hockey team capped the day by beating Malaysia 5-1 in the final to retain their Asian Games title and book a place at the 2028 Olympics.India’s medal tally now stands at 85 medals – 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.
Hockey delivers another golden moment
Captain Harmanpreet Singh led from the front with two goals as India beat Malaysia 5-1 to win the men’s hockey gold.Harmanpreet scored in the 11th and 57th minutes, while Jugraj Singh, Hardik Singh and Shilanand Lakra also found the net. Malaysia’s only goal came from Shello Silverius in the 14th minute.Harmanpreet finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 12 goals. India also earned 14 penalty corners compared to Malaysia’s two.The victory gave India their fifth Asian Games men’s hockey gold, after previous triumphs in 1966, 1998, 2014 and 2022. India also became only the second country after Pakistan to win back-to-back Asian Games men’s hockey golds.Harmanpreet became the first Indian men’s hockey captain to lead the team to two Asian Games gold medals.The triumph came a day after the women’s team beat defending champions China 1-0 to win their first Asian Games gold in 44 years and secure an Olympic berth.It was the first time that both Indian hockey teams finished on top of the podium at the same Asian Games.
Aman wins wrestling gold, Antim settles for silver
Aman Sehrawat upgraded his bronze from the 2023 Hangzhou Games to gold by beating North Korea’s reigning world champion Chong Song Han 10-7 in the men’s 57kg final.The 23-year-old was initially frustrated by Han’s defensive approach but took control after being put on the clock. He built a 6-1 lead before Han fought back to move 7-6 ahead.Aman responded with two more takedowns to seal the gold.It was India’s second wrestling gold of the Games after Sujeet Kalkal’s title on Friday.Antim Panghal, meanwhile, had to settle for silver after losing 1-9 to Japan’s 2024 world champion Mei Miyooka in the women’s 53kg final.Antim could not find a way through Miyooka’s defence and attack.Deepak Punia added a bronze in the men’s 97kg category after beating Mongolia’s Gankhuyang Ganbataar 2-1.India finished the wrestling competition with six medals — two gold, two silver and two bronze.
Abhishek, Tilak power India to cricket gold
India retained their Asian Games men’s T20 cricket title after beating Pakistan by 19 runs in the final.Abhishek Sharma smashed 61 off 28 balls, hitting seven sixes, while Tilak Varma produced an unbeaten 51 off 22 balls as India posted 211/6.Pakistan fought back through Hasan Nawaz, who scored 96 off 51 balls, but India held their nerve to restrict them to 192/6.The victory also extended India’s head-to-head dominance over Pakistan to 6-0 since the start of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Pranavi makes history in golf
Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games golf gold.The 23-year-old held her nerve despite a triple bogey on the third hole and recovered with three birdies to finish the final round at even-par 70.She finished at 15-under 265, one stroke ahead of China’s Yin Ruoning.Pranavi’s gold also helped India win the women’s team silver, with Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar completing the team.It rounded off India’s best Asian Games golf performance in 44 years.
Kumkum creates recurve archery history
Teenager Kumkum Mohod produced another landmark performance by winning India’s first-ever Asian Games individual women’s recurve gold.Kumkum beat South Korea’s Oh Yejin 6-5 in a shoot-out, finding the 10-ring with her final arrow to clinch the title.Her run to the final also secured an individual quota place for India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The quota belongs to India, while the final selection of the athlete will be decided through the federation’s trials.
Neeraj wins men’s recurve bronze
Neeraj Chauhan completed a memorable day for Indian recurve archery by beating compatriot Dhiraj Bommadevara 6-4 for the men’s individual bronze.Neeraj fought back from 2-4 down before winning the deciding set.He became only the second Indian male archer after Tarundeep Rai to win an individual recurve medal at the Asian Games.
