India produced its most successful day of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on September 26, collecting seven medals in a single day, including two gold medals from the men’s and women’s kabaddi teams. The haul took India’s overall medal count to 30 — four gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze — at the latest confirmed count after Day 8.
The two kabaddi victories were the headline moments, but India’s medal haul was spread across several disciplines. Athletics contributed three medals, shooting added a silver and squash produced a bronze. The performances also included a historic men’s marathon silver from Sawan Barwal, who ended a 44-year wait for an Indian podium finish in the event at the Asian Games.
With the Games continuing until October 4, India’s medal tally is still changing, and several more medal opportunities are scheduled for September 27.
India Completes a Golden Double in Kabaddi
The biggest Indian success of Day 8 came from kabaddi, where both the men’s and women’s teams won gold medals.
The Indian women’s kabaddi team defeated Iran 37-34 in a closely fought final. India had led 22-16 at halftime, but Iran fought back strongly after the break and even moved ahead during the second half. India eventually regained control and secured the victory.
The victory allowed the women’s team to retain its Asian Games title. India has remained unbeaten in the women’s kabaddi competition since the sport was introduced to the Asian Games programme in 2010.
The men’s team followed with another victory over Iran, defeating its opponents 40-34.
The men’s final was also competitive, with India’s raiders and defenders producing important points at crucial moments. The victory gave India its ninth men’s kabaddi gold medal at the Asian Games, further extending the country’s record in the sport.
Winning both kabaddi gold medals on the same day was particularly significant because Iran has traditionally been one of India’s strongest opponents in Asian kabaddi. Both finals therefore required India to deal with considerable pressure before securing the titles.
Sawan Barwal Creates History in the Marathon
One of the most significant individual performances came from Sawan Barwal, who won silver in the men’s marathon.
Barwal completed the race in 2 hours, 11 minutes and 37 seconds, producing a personal best and a new Indian national record. His silver medal also ended a 44-year wait for India to win a men’s marathon medal at the Asian Games.
The result was particularly notable given the history of the event. India had not stood on the men’s marathon podium at the Asian Games since 1982.
Barwal finished behind Japan’s Ichitaka Yamashita, who won gold in 2:10:49. China’s Peng Biao took bronze with a time of 2:12:13.
For Indian athletics, the performance represents one of the most important results of the Games so far.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor Takes Silver
India also secured another athletics medal through Tajinderpal Singh Toor in the men’s shot put.
Toor produced a best throw of 20.64 metres, which earned him the silver medal. His result came after a bid for another Asian Games title, but Iran’s Mohammadreza Tayebise finished ahead of him.
Toor has been one of India’s leading field athletes at the continental level, and his latest medal adds another Asian Games podium finish to his career.
Although he did not win gold this time, his 20.64m effort provided India with another medal on a highly productive day for athletics.
Prachi Chaudhary Wins 400m Bronze
India’s athletics campaign received another boost when Prachi Chaudhary won bronze in the women’s 400 metres.
Chaudhary clocked 53.21 seconds to secure her place on the podium. The medal was particularly notable because it represented India’s first individual Asian Games medal in the women’s 400m since Hima Das won a medal in 2018.
Her performance added another bronze medal to India’s tally and demonstrated the breadth of the country’s athletics campaign, which has produced results in both track and field events.
Shooting Adds Another Silver
Shooting continued to be an important contributor to India’s medal tally.
The Indian women’s team of Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen and Vidarsa K. Vinod won silver in the women’s 50m rifle three-position team event.
The Indian trio recorded 1,763 points, finishing behind China. The Chinese team scored 1,773 points, leaving India approximately 10 points short of the gold medal.
The result continues India’s strong presence in shooting, one of the country’s most consistent medal-producing disciplines at major multi-sport events.
Squash Produces Another Medal
India also added a bronze medal in squash through Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar in mixed doubles.
The Indian pair reached the semifinal stage before losing to Hong Kong, China. The match went to a deciding game, with the Hong Kong pair eventually winning 11-10, 2-11, 11-10. As a result, Chinappa and Senthilkumar received the bronze medal.
The medal adds to India’s growing presence in squash at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
India’s Latest Medal Tally
Following the completed events on September 26, India’s tally stood at:
| Medal | Total |
|---|---|
| 🥇 Gold | 4 |
| 🥈 Silver | 12 |
| 🥉 Bronze | 14 |
| Total | 30 |
India was placed 10th in the overall standings at that point.
India’s seven-medal haul on September 26 consisted of:
- Gold: Men’s Kabaddi
- Gold: Women’s Kabaddi
- Silver: Sawan Barwal — Men’s Marathon
- Silver: Tajinderpal Singh Toor — Men’s Shot Put
- Silver: Ashi Chouksey, Tilottama Sen and Vidarsa K. Vinod — Women’s 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team
- Bronze: Prachi Chaudhary — Women’s 400m
- Bronze: Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar — Squash Mixed Doubles
India’s Campaign Before the Kabaddi Double
The success on September 26 builds on several strong performances earlier in the Games.
India’s first gold medals came from shooting, with Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet winning the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Athletics also contributed through performances including Gulveer Singh’s silver in the men’s 10,000m, while table tennis, shooting and other disciplines added further medals.
The country’s medal collection has therefore been spread across several sports rather than being dependent on one discipline.
This diversification is particularly important in a multi-sport competition because medal opportunities continue throughout the Games in athletics, shooting, badminton, squash, boxing, archery, hockey and other events.
What Is Happening on September 27?
India’s campaign continues on Sunday, September 27, with several major medal opportunities.
Squash is one of the biggest areas of interest, with Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh among the Indian athletes competing in medal events. Athletics also has a significant schedule, while India’s badminton players continue their campaign. Shooting, hockey and other sports are also on the day’s programme.
The Indian contingent will also have athletes competing in events such as women’s marathon race walk and weightlifting, while India’s badminton and hockey campaigns continue.
Because several competitions are still underway, the 30-medal figure represents the latest confirmed tally after completed events on September 26, rather than India’s final result at the Games.
A Strong Start With More Medals Still to Come
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games are being held from September 19 to October 4, 2026, giving India more than a week of competition still to come.
The immediate highlight has been the kabaddi golden double, but India’s campaign has also produced significant performances in athletics, shooting and squash. Sawan Barwal’s marathon silver, in particular, has added a historic dimension to the campaign by ending India’s 44-year wait for a men’s marathon medal.
With four gold, 12 silver and 14 bronze medals already secured, India has reached 30 medals at the latest confirmed count. More importantly, several Indian athletes and teams remain in contention across multiple disciplines.
The next several days will determine how much further the tally rises before the Games conclude on October 4. For now, the seven-medal day on September 26, capped by two kabaddi golds, stands as India’s most productive day of the Aichi-Nagoya campaign so far.
