NAGOYA — The relentless momentum of India’s campaign at the 2026 Asian Games reached another milestone on Friday, as the men’s sepaktakraw team secured a hard-fought bronze medal at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium. While the journey to the top of the podium was halted in the semifinals, the achievement serves as a testament to India’s growing prowess in a sport that continues to captivate the continental stage.
In a high-stakes men’s quadrant semifinal, the Indian squad faced off against the hosts, Japan. Despite a spirited performance that kept the crowd on edge, India narrowly fell 0-2, with set scores of 12-15 and 13-15. While the scoreboard reflects a straight-sets defeat, the reality on the court was far more granular; the Indian side remained competitive throughout both frames, trading powerful serves and acrobatic blocks before falling just short against a clinical Japanese defense in the closing points of each set.
A Campaign Defined by Resilience
The road to the semifinals was far from easy, and the bronze medal is the culmination of a robust group stage performance. Entering the knockout phase undefeated, the Indian team had already proven their mettle against seasoned competition. Their quarterfinal path was paved with grit, most notably a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Myanmar on Thursday. After dropping the opening set 10-15, the Indian squad rallied with remarkable composure to take the next two sets 15-13 and 15-7, showcasing the mental fortitude that has become a hallmark of this delegation in Aichi-Nagoya.
Earlier in the tournament, India’s dominance in the group stages was evident. They dismantled both Laos and Vietnam with tactical precision, finishing at the top of Group A. Their 2-0 victory against Vietnam (15-12, 15-9) stood out as a highlight, confirming their status as a formidable force in the quadrant discipline. Although their march toward the gold-medal match was interrupted by the Japanese hosts, ending their campaign with a bronze, the team leaves Nagoya having firmly planted their flag in the sepaktakraw international circuit.
A Golden Friday Surge
The bronze medal from the sepaktakraw court arrived during what has been a truly prolific day for the Indian contingent. As the country’s overall medal tally climbed to a staggering 72—comprising 12 gold, 25 silver, and 35 bronze—Friday has been characterized by consistent podium finishes across diverse sporting disciplines.
The morning session set the tone for the day. In the archery arena, the women’s recurve team, featuring Kumkum Mohod, Ankita Bhakat, and Kirti Sharma, clinched a brilliant gold, while the mixed recurve team—anchored by Kumkum and Dhiraj Bommadevara—added a valuable silver. The momentum continued on the water as Nethra Kumanan secured a bronze in the women’s dinghy event, and in the boxing ring, where the formidable Lovlina Borgohain demonstrated her class to snatch gold in the women’s 75kg final. The men’s recurve archery team further bolstered the haul with a silver, keeping India’s momentum in the double digits for the day.
Eyes on the Horizon: More Glory Awaits
With the total standing at 72, the Indian delegation has no intention of slowing down as the Games head into their final phases. The calendar for the remainder of Friday is packed with high-stakes encounters that could see the medal count jump significantly higher.
All eyes are shifting toward the boxing ring, where Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal are slated to contest their respective gold-medal bouts. On the wrestling mat, expectations are equally high as Sujeet prepares to square off against Tajikistan’s Abdulmazid Kudiev for the gold. In a battle for bronze, wrestler Dipanshi is set to face Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova in what promises to be a grueling test of skill and endurance.
Perhaps the most anticipated event of the evening is the women’s hockey final, where India will take on China. A victory there would not only be a prestigious addition to the gold tally but a significant statement for Indian team sports on the international stage.
As the sun sets over the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium, the Indian athletes are proving that their preparation and tactical evolution are paying dividends. With multiple opportunities for gold still in the pipeline, the 2026 Asian Games are shaping up to be a historic chapter for Indian sports, and the bronze earned on the sepaktakraw court is just one piece of a much larger, increasingly golden puzzle.
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