Aichi-Nagoya, 01 October (H.S.): India’s men’s volleyball campaign at the 2026 Asian Games came to an end on Thursday after the team suffered a 0-3 quarter-final defeat to arch-rivals Pakistan. Pakistan secured a place in the semi-finals with a 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 victory.

India made a competitive start to the opening set and kept pace with Pakistan in the early stages. However, a run of five consecutive points midway through the set allowed Pakistan to seize control and eventually take it 25-19.

India looked poised to fight back in the second set after establishing a 19-16 lead. Pakistan, however, capitalised on crucial errors at the decisive stage to win the set 25-23 and move within one set of victory.

India struggled to mount a comeback in the third set. Pakistan maintained its momentum and closed out the match 25-18 to book its place in the last four.

Earlier in the day, India secured a medal in men’s sepak takraw after defeating Vietnam 2-0 in a Group A quadrant match. It was India’s second consecutive victory in the competition and secured the team’s place in the semi-finals.

In wrestling, Mansi advanced to the women’s 62kg quarter-finals after defeating Kazakhstan’s Irina Kuznetsova 6-1 in the round of 16. The former world championship bronze medallist in the 59kg category dominated the contest from the outset. She will face South Korea’s Jo Su-bin in the quarter-finals.

In judo, Yamini Maurya reached the women’s 57kg quarter-finals after defeating Qatar’s Fatina Boukahous by ippon. She will meet Mongolia’s Ariunjaya Terbish in the last eight.

India endured setbacks in archery and taekwondo. In the women’s individual compound quarter-finals, Chikita Taniparthi narrowly lost 144-143 to Indonesia’s Nurisa Dian Asharifa. In women’s individual poomsae, Rupa Bayor finished 15th in the semi-finals and was eliminated.

In cycling, Harshveer Singh Sekhon finished 10th in the opening race of the men’s omnium. He collected 22 points, with three races still remaining.

India entered the 12th day of the Asian Games with 60 medals, comprising 10 gold, 21 silver and 29 bronze. The Indian contingent was eighth in the overall medal standings at the start of the day.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar