AICHI-NAGOYA — India enjoyed another rewarding day of podium finishes and confirmed medals at the 20th Asian Games on Sunday, highlighted by a historic double-silver showing in squash, a bronze on the athletics track, and renewed shooting precision. Teen squash sensation Anahat Singh and compatriot Abhay Singh led the charge by capturing silver medals in their respective singles finals, underscoring the country’s burgeoning depth in continental racquet sports.
Teen prodigy Anahat Singh scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the Asian Games singles squash final, clinching a celebrated silver medal after putting up a spirited fight against Malaysia’s top-seeded Sivasangari Subramaniam. Shortly before her encounter, Abhay Singh also secured a silver in the men’s singles title clash following a hard-fought battle against Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow, completing an impressive campaign for the national squash contingent.
The track and field action at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium yielded further joy for the Indian delegation as sprinter Harita Bhadra produced a blistering finish in the women’s 200-metre final to claim the bronze medal. In the men’s 200-metre sprint final, emerging runner Animesh Kujur delivered a commendable performance to finish fifth against an elite continental field with a timing of 20.80 seconds. Meanwhile, multi-discipline athlete Tejaswin Shankar remained in medal contention across the decathlon events, logging crucial points in the pole vault and javelin throw.
India’s shooters continued their reliable podium streak as the women’s 25-metre pistol trio comprising Olympian Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and veteran Rahi Sarnobat combined effectively to capture a team bronze medal. Over in the boxing ring, India confirmed at least two additional medals with commanding quarterfinal victories. World Championships medallist Parveen Hooda outclassed Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova with a unanimous 5-0 verdict to cruise into the women’s 65kg semi-finals, while Ankush defeated Tajikistan’s Nekruz Salimov in the men’s 80kg division to secure a spot in the medal rounds.
