Asian U23 Athletics 2026: India clinch three bronze medals on Day Two in Ordos
Synopsis
India's middle-distance runners and a youth National Record holder sprinter combined to deliver three bronze medals on Day Two of the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 in Ordos, China — adding to a gold from the opening day and signalling genuine depth in India's U23 athletics pipeline.
Key Takeaways
India won three bronze medals on Day Two of the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 in Ordos, China on 10 July 2026 .
Shakeel claimed bronze in the men's 800m with a time of 1:48.78 seconds ; compatriot Vinod Kumar B finished fourth.
Bhumeshwory Devi Huidrom won bronze in the women's 800m in 2:10.20 seconds .
Youth National Record holder Abhay Singh took bronze in the men's 200m with 20.96 seconds .
Sharuk Khan (steeplechase) and Abhijit Sanjay Bhosale (decathlon) both finished fourth, narrowly missing the podium.
India had opened the meet with a gold medal in the mixed 4x400m relay on Day One, clocking 3:18.64 seconds .
India's middle-distance runners took centre stage on Day Two of the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 in Ordos, China, on Friday, 10 July, delivering two bronze medals in the 800m events. Sprinter Abhay Singh added a third bronze in the men's 200m, capping a productive second day for the Indian contingent.
800m Double for India
Shakeel opened India's medal tally on Day Two with a bronze in the men's 800m, clocking 1:48.78 seconds. His compatriot Vinod Kumar B, also in the final, finished fourth with a time of 1:49.10 seconds.
India's second bronze arrived through Bhumeshwory Devi Huidrom in the women's 800m, who recorded 2:10.20 seconds. Vaishnavi Rajendra Rawal, the other Indian in the race, ended fifth at 2:10.83 seconds. Uzbekistan's Jonbibi Hukmove claimed gold in 2:08.41, while Japan's Kurumi Sugure took silver in 2:09.42.
Abhay Singh's Bronze in Men's 200m
Youth National Record holder Abhay Singh delivered a composed run to finish third in the men's 200m with a time of 20.96 seconds. China's Youwen Huang won gold in 20.43 seconds, with Japan's Kota Uematsu taking silver in 20.58 seconds. Notably, Abhay previously served as guide for Simran Sharma when she medalled at the Paris Paralympics, underlining his versatility on the track.
Near Misses in Steeplechase and Decathlon
India came close to more medals but fell short in two other disciplines. Sharuk Khan finished fourth in the men's 3000m steeplechase with a time of 9:14.14 seconds, while Abhijit Sanjay Bhosale also placed fourth in the decathlon with a total of 6,610 points.
India's Strong Start on Day One
The Championships had opened on a high note for India on Thursday, 9 July, when the mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Astik Pradhan, Sandramol Sabu, Setu Mishra, and Shravani Sachin Sangle clinched gold with a winning time of 3:18.64 seconds, edging out China (3:18.74) and the Philippines (3:25.28). India also picked up medals in the men's 5,000m, men's discus throw, and women's 3,000m steeplechase on the opening day.
With the Championships still underway, India's medal count continues to grow at this first-ever edition of the meet, signalling a promising depth of talent in the U23 age group.
Point of View
In particular, is significant: it is an event India has historically struggled to populate at the Asian level. The near-misses in steeplechase and decathlon, however, are a reminder that depth at the top of the podium remains thin. Converting fourth-place finishes into medals will be the real benchmark of progress at the next edition.
NationPress
10 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many medals did India win on Day Two of the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026?
India won three bronze medals on Day Two of the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 in Ordos, China, on 10 July. The medals came through Shakeel in the men's 800m, Bhumeshwory Devi Huidrom in the women's 800m, and Abhay Singh in the men's 200m.
What was Abhay Singh's time in the men's 200m at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships?
Abhay Singh clocked 20.96 seconds to win the bronze medal in the men's 200m. China's Youwen Huang won gold in 20.43 seconds and Japan's Kota Uematsu took silver in 20.58 seconds.
Who won gold in the women's 800m at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026?
Uzbekistan's Jonbibi Hukmove won gold in the women's 800m with a time of 2:08.41 seconds. Japan's Kurumi Sugure took silver in 2:09.42, while India's Bhumeshwory Devi Huidrom claimed bronze in 2:10.20.
What did India achieve on Day One of the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026?
On the opening day, India won gold in the mixed 4x400m relay through the quartet of Astik Pradhan, Sandramol Sabu, Setu Mishra, and Shravani Sachin Sangle, who clocked 3:18.64 seconds. India also picked up medals in the men's 5,000m, men's discus throw, and women's 3,000m steeplechase.
Where is the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 being held?
The inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026 is being held in Ordos, a city in China. The meet began on Thursday, 9 July 2026.
