Five golds on Day 15, including historic wins in archery and golf, push India past Uzbekistan with 21 golds and 85 total medals.
India’s campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya hit a high note on Saturday, October 3, as the nation climbed to fourth place in the medal tally. A blistering performance across five disciplines delivered five golds, two silvers, and two bronzes — adding 9 medals to the national count and bringing the total to 85.
The men’s hockey team defended their title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia, securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The cricket team followed suit, defeating Pakistan by 19 runs in a tense T20 final to claim gold, a moment that lit up social media and sent fans into a frenzy.
Wrestling added two more golds: Aman Sehrawat triumphed in the men’s freestyle 57kg category, while Antim Panghal took silver in the women’s 53kg event. Deepak Punia rounded out the wrestling success with bronze in the 97kg division.
Archery saw a breakthrough. Kumkum Anil Mohod made history by winning India’s first-ever individual recurve gold medal at the Asian Games. Neeraj Chauhan also earned bronze in the men’s individual recurve event, showing depth in the discipline.
Golf was another landmark day. Pranavi Urs claimed individual gold. The first ever for an Indian woman in the sport at the continental level. She joined Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar in the women’s team event, where they secured silver.
With 21 golds, India now sits ahead of Uzbekistan despite both nations having the same number of golds, India’s higher silver count (27) gives it the edge. China remains atop the table with 169 golds, followed by Japan (83) and South Korea (39).
The momentum from Day 15 could be pivotal in the final stretch. With key events still to come, India’s athletes are now firmly in contention for a top-three finish. The next few days will test whether this surge can hold through the closing stages of the Games.
For now, the focus is on the podiums. And the stories behind them. From the first female golfer to stand atop the Asian Games podium to a hockey team defending its legacy, these moments aren’t just about medals. They’re about what comes next.
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