India ended a 44-year wait for women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games, defeating China 1-0 in the 2026 final. India had last won the title in 1982, when women’s hockey made its Asian Games debut. Lalremsiami Hmarzote scored the goal in the first quarter, while goalkeeper Savita Punia saved a penalty stroke in the second quarter to deny China an equaliser. India’s defence then withstood Chinese pressure, with Punia making a penalty stroke save. The gold also secured India’s place at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. India had finished runners-up in 1998 and 2018. China won silver, while Japan took bronze after defeating South Korea in a shoot-out.

India enjoyed a historic day in recurve archery at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The women’s team of Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod won India’s first-ever Asian Games gold in the women’s recurve team event, defeating South Korea 5-3 in the final. The men’s team of Dhiraj Bommadevara, Yashdeep Bhoge and Neeraj Chauhan also reached the final and secured silver after losing 1-5 to South Korea. India’s mixed recurve team had earlier won silver. The results strengthened India’s medal haul in archery at the Games. 

India secured a bronze medal in the men’s quadrant sepaktakraw event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya after losing their semifinal to Japan 0-2. The Indian team had reached the semifinals after an impressive group-stage campaign, defeating Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. The medal marks India’s first men’s sepaktakraw medal at the Asian Games since the 2018 Jakarta edition. Veteran Manipuri player Akash Yumnam played an important role in the team’s campaign alongside Bobby Kumar, Malemnganba Singh, Lokhon Singh, Ram Kumar Sharma and Arun. The bronze adds another medal to India’s growing tally at the Games. (PC: X)

Brazil’s football team is following a tightly controlled diet in Kolkata ahead of its FIFA friendly against India. The squad has brought its own chefs and nutritionists, who are preparing nearly all meals according to specific nutritional requirements. Players are eating almost five times a day, with menus featuring rice, spaghetti, beans, fish, chicken, meat, vegetables and salads. Fish has received particular attention, with the Brazilian players enjoying fresh Bhetki prepared by their own culinary team. Oil use is controlled, while olive oil is preferred. The team is also following regulated beverage and hydration arrangements, including externally sourced drinking water. (PC: Reuters)

Indian boxer Lovlina Borgohain celebrated her 29th birthday with a historic gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Competing in the women’s 75kg category, Lovlina defeated China’s Ziyi Bao by a unanimous 5-0 decision in the final. She controlled the bout after a closely contested opening round and maintained her composure to secure victory. The triumph made Lovlina only the second Indian woman boxer after MC Mary Kom to win Asian Games gold. It also upgraded her silver medal from the 2022 Hangzhou Games. 

India’s Ankita Bhakat, Kumkum Mohod and Kirti Sharma created history at the 2026 Asian Games by defeating South Korea 5-3 in the women’s recurve team final on October 2. The victory secured India’s first-ever Asian Games gold in this event. India had earlier defeated China 5-1 in the semifinal to reach the final for the first time. The contest remained closely fought, with the teams level after the opening two sets. India took control in the third, while 17-year-old Kumkum delivered crucial 10s under pressure, including the decisive final arrow that sealed the historic victory. (PC: Reuters)

India enjoyed a highly successful Day 12 at the 2026 Asian Games, adding multiple medals across disciplines. The compound archery teams led the charge, with Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Chikitha Taniparthi and Prithika Pradeep winning gold in the women’s team event, followed by another gold in the mixed team competition. India’s women’s hockey team also defeated South Korea 2-0 to reach the final, keeping its gold-medal hopes alive. Wrestler Sunil Kumar secured a bronze, while Indian boxers and athletes continued their campaigns in various events. The results strengthened India’s medal tally and maintained momentum across several sports. (PC: The Hindu)

India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a dramatic men’s hockey semifinal at the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday, securing a place in the gold-medal match. Captain Harmanpreet Singh gave India an early advantage with two penalty-corner goals, while Sukhjeet Singh added another to make it 3-0. Pakistan fought back strongly in the second half, scoring three goals to level the match at 3-3. With just 45 seconds remaining, Abhishek scored the decisive field goal to seal India’s victory. India will face the winner of South Korea and Malaysia in Saturday’s final. (PC: X)

India’s Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurisinkal won silver in the men’s skiff sailing event at the Asian Games 2026 on Thursday. The childhood friends from Kerala finished with 23 points after 9 races, behind China’s Wen Zaiding and Liu Tian, who won gold with 16 points. The Indian pair staged a comeback in the final race after finishing last in race 8, which put their medal hopes at risk. Their journey began in Class 7, when they started sailing together. They later trained in Bhopal and Mumbai while serving in the Indian Army. This was their Asian Games debut. (PC: India Today)

India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a thrilling men’s hockey semi-final at the Asian Games 2026, with Abhishek scoring the decisive goal in the 60th minute to seal a place in the final. India took a 3-0 lead before Pakistan fought back to level the score at 3-3. With the match heading towards a tense finish, Abhishek found the net in the final minute to give India the winning advantage. The victory sends the Indian men’s team into the gold-medal match. India’s women’s team has also reached the hockey final, giving the country a chance to compete for gold in both events. (PC: NDTV)