Aichi-Nagoya, 28 September (H.S.): India’s Pincky Balhara secured a medal in women’s 78kg Kurash at the 2026 Asian Games by advancing to the semifinals. Pincky defeated South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the quarterfinals on Monday.

Pincky dominated the contest from the outset and sealed her place in the last four with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. Her win ensured India’s third Asian Games medal in Kurash.

Pincky Balhara, who won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, was eliminated in the quarterfinals at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. She has now made a strong comeback and secured another Asian Games medal.

Indian archer Ganesh Mani Rathnam Thirumurugan defeated compatriot Sahil Jadhav 149-148 in a closely contested men’s individual compound event to advance to the quarterfinals.

The all-Indian contest remained fiercely competitive until the final stage. Ganesh maintained his composure under pressure and secured a narrow one-point victory. Earlier, he had defeated Indonesia’s Gelsoestar Andaru Rinaldi 144-142 in the Round of 32.

Ganesh will face Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chieh-Lun in the quarterfinals on October 1. Sahil had defeated Mongolia’s Jamiangombo Purevdorj 149-137 in the Round of 32, but was eliminated by his fellow Indian in the next round. With his victory, Ganesh remains India’s sole representative in the men’s individual compound event.

The Indian archery contingent has also performed strongly in the team events. All five Indian teams competing on Sunday advanced to the semifinals. The men’s and women’s recurve teams, the recurve mixed team, and the men’s and women’s compound teams have all reached the last four.

India’s Sivaraj Babu was eliminated from the men’s shortboard surfing event after losing 7.83-11.50 to the Philippines’ Alsiso Jeyuard in the third round.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar