India’s campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya continued on Day 10 with a dramatic silver medal in shooting and further progress in other disciplines. Pistol shooter Esha Singh delivered the highlight of the day, while athletes in kurash and boxing also advanced India’s medal prospects.
Esha Singh’s Thrilling Silver in 25m Pistol
Esha Singh claimed silver in the women’s 25m pistol event after one of the most tense finals of the Games so far. The 21-year-old from Hyderabad survived multiple shoot-offs before finishing second to China’s Xiao Jiaruixuan.
Singh had qualified for the final in eighth place with a score of 580. In the final she produced a composed performance under pressure, at one stage sitting fourth before a perfect series of five hits secured her place on the podium. She then prevailed in a series of shoot-offs against North Korea’s Kim Hyon Suk to lock in at least silver.
The gold-medal contest against Xiao went the distance. Both shooters finished the regular final level, forcing further shoot-offs. Xiao eventually edged Singh 3-2 in the decisive series to take gold. Kim Hyon Suk claimed bronze.
The silver marked a strong recovery for Singh after an earlier disappointment in the 10m air pistol. It also added to India’s growing medal tally at the Games, taking the overall count higher in the shooting discipline where the country has traditionally performed well.
Two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker did not advance to the final of the same event, finishing outside the top eight in qualification.
Progress in Kurash and Boxing
In kurash, Pincky Balhara assured India of a medal by reaching the semi-finals of the women’s 78kg category. Balhara, who had previously won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games in a different weight class, continued her strong form on the continental stage. She later secured bronze after her semi-final, becoming one of the few Indian athletes to win multiple medals in the sport at the Asian Games.
In boxing, Lovlina Borgohain advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 75kg division with a dominant 5-0 victory over South Korea’s Seong Suyeon in the quarter-finals. The result guaranteed Borgohain at least a bronze medal and kept her on course for a higher podium finish. Borgohain, an Olympic medallist, remains one of India’s leading medal hopes in the boxing competition.
Other Results from Day 10
Archer Jyothi Surekha Vennam, who had won gold at the previous Asian Games, was eliminated after a 146-150 defeat to a Korean opponent. The early exit was a setback in a discipline where India had hoped for continued success.
The Indian men’s cricket team was scheduled to begin its campaign to defend the gold medal with a match against Afghanistan. However, rain in Nagoya disrupted proceedings, leaving the outcome of the fixture uncertain at the time of reporting.
In squash, India recorded a victory over Japan, adding to the positive results on a busy day of multi-sport action.
India’s Overall Standing
By the end of Day 10 activities, India’s medal tally stood at four gold, 17 silver and 18 bronze for a total of 39 medals. Shooting and athletics have contributed significantly to the count, while team events such as kabaddi and women’s cricket provided early golds. The addition of Singh’s silver and Balhara’s bronze kept the momentum going midway through the Games.
Looking Ahead
The Asian Games schedule remains packed, with several medal events still to come in athletics, boxing, squash, hockey and other disciplines. For Indian athletes, the focus will be on converting semi-final appearances into higher-value medals and building on the consistency shown in shooting and combat sports.
Esha Singh’s performance stood out not only for the medal but for the manner in which it was earned. Multiple shoot-offs test both technical skill and mental resilience. Her ability to recover from a precarious position in the final and force the contest to the limit underlined the depth of preparation that has made her one of India’s leading pistol shooters.
As the competition moves into its later stages, India’s campaign will be measured by its ability to add gold medals while maintaining a broad medal haul across sports. Day 10 provided a reminder that success at the Asian Games often comes through hard-fought contests decided by the finest of margins. Singh’s silver, Balhara’s bronze and Borgohain’s assured medal offered tangible rewards on a day when several Indian athletes stepped up under pressure.
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