RESURGENCE in the ranks of the Asian Games medal table has defined Day 10 for the Indian contingent, as a thunderous double-gold performance catapulted the nation back into the prestigious top 10. Following a two-day drought at the summit of the podium, India’s athletes channeled sheer grit and tactical brilliance on Tuesday, securing eight total medals to push their overall count to 53.
With six golds, 21 silvers, and 26 bronze medals now locked in, the team has reclaimed the 10th position in the overall standings, signaling a critical momentum shift as the Games enter their final, high-pressure stages.
Neeru, women’s relay team deliver golden double
The hallmark of the day was undoubtedly the historic composure displayed by Neeru Dhanda in the women’s trap individual event. Amidst the challenging conditions of heavy, incessant rain that drastically hampered visibility, Dhanda remained unfazed. She navigated the range with surgical precision, finishing with 28 hits in the final—a performance that set a new Asian Games record and secured India’s first-ever gold in the event. This victory was particularly significant, as it marked India’s maiden individual shooting gold of the 2026 Asian Games, silencing any critics who questioned the squad’s pressure-handling capabilities.
The momentum ignited on the shooting range transitioned seamlessly to the track. The women’s 4x400m relay quartet—comprising Kiran, Prachi Choudhary, MR Poovamma, and Vithya Ramraj—put on a masterclass in synchronicity and endurance. Clocking a time of 3:29.69, the team proved that the relay remains a crown jewel of Indian track and field.
For 36-year-old MR Poovamma, this win was the latest chapter in a storied career, adding to her golden exploits from the 2014 and 2018 iterations of the Games. Vithya Ramraj, fresh off a breakthrough campaign where she shattered PT Usha’s four-decade-old national record in the 400m hurdles, proved she is currently the country’s most versatile athlete, securing her place in history with another dominant relay leg.
A mixed bag of athletics and grit
While the gold medals grabbed the headlines, the broader athletics program showcased the depth and the occasional heartbreak of elite competition. Nineteen-year-old high jumper Pooja Singh emerged as a shining prospect, securing a bronze medal after clearing 1.84m. Similarly, distance runner Gulveer Singh etched his name into the annals of the Games by completing a grueling medal treble. Having already secured silver in the 10,000m and 1500m events, his bronze in the 5000m on Day 10 serves as a testament to his sheer physical resilience.
The relay track continued to be a focal point, as the 4x100m mixed relay team—Gurindervir Singh, Sneha Sathyanarayana, Animesh Kujur, and Harita Bhadra—clocked a season-best 41.06 seconds to claim bronze. However, the men’s 4x400m relay team, comprised of Vishal TK, Dharamveer Choudhary, Jay Kumar, and T Manu, faced a difficult reality check. Despite a valiant effort, they settled for bronze with a time of 3:01.61, narrowly missing the chance to successfully defend the Hangzhou title.
In the boxing ring, the Indian spirit remained unyielding. While Narender bowed out in the 90+kg semifinal, taking home a hard-earned bronze, the stage is set for a dramatic finish as both Parveen and Ankush Panghal successfully punched their tickets to the gold-medal finals.
The path forward in the medal tally
The dual-gold surge was the primary catalyst for India’s return to the top 10. While China maintains a gargantuan lead at the top of the table with 254 medals, and Japan continues its steady second-place pursuit with 183, the mid-table battle remains intense. South Korea and Uzbekistan round out the top four, but for India, the focus has shifted from the pursuit of leaders to the protection of its newfound top-10 status.
By crossing the 50-medal threshold, the Indian contingent has successfully surpassed the psychological hurdle that often burdens teams in the latter half of the tournament. The performance on Day 10 served as a reminder of the team’s latent ability to peak at the right moment. With key events still to be contested and boxing finals on the horizon, the Indian camp remains cautiously optimistic.
As the dust settles on Day 10, the national mood is one of quiet determination. The transition from a two-day gold drought to a double-gold explosion proves that this team is far from finished. The mission for the final days is clear: consolidate the position, chase the podium where possible, and ensure that the 2026 Asian Games serve as a springboard for Indian athletics on the global stage. For now, the tally sits at 53, and for the first time in several days, the view from the top 10 looks bright.
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