Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 2 October 2026, congratulated five Indian medal-winners at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan — wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, boxers Ankush Panghal and Parveen Hooda, the Indian men's quadrant sepaktakraw team, and sailor Nethra Kumanan — praising their determination and dedication across four disciplines.

Sujeet Kalkal's Dramatic Wrestling Gold

Wrestler Sujeet Kalkal delivered one of the day's most dramatic victories, winning India's first wrestling gold of the Asian Games 2026 edition in the men's freestyle 65kg category at the Nagoya City Inae Sports Centre. The 23-year-old was trailing Tajikistan's Abdulmazhid Kudiyev by a seemingly insurmountable 2-9 scoreline before staging a stunning late rally, scoring eight consecutive points to win 10-9 in the final. Notably, this was Sujeet's Asian Games debut.

Modi posted on X: 'Congratulations to Sujeet on winning the Men's 65kg Freestyle Wrestling Gold at the Asian Games after a thrilling victory in the final. On his Asian Games debut, he has delivered India's first Wrestling Gold of this edition. It is indeed a memorable triumph! Wishing him the very best for the times to come.'

Ankush Panghal Dominates Boxing Final

Boxer Ankush Panghal claimed gold in the men's 80kg category with a commanding 4-0 victory over South Korea's Minseong Kim at the Nishio Gymnasium. Four of the five judges ruled in Panghal's favour by 30-26, while one scored the bout at 28-28. The South Korean boxer was also docked a point for a warning in the first round, underlining India's dominance throughout the contest.

'Congrats to Ankush on winning the Men's 80kg Boxing Gold at the Asian Games with an emphatic victory in the final. His passion and dedication are noteworthy. His success ensures that India's boxing campaign at the Asian Games ends on a great note,' Modi said.

Parveen Hooda Becomes Third Indian Woman Boxing Gold-Medallist

Boxer Parveen Hooda, 26, claimed gold in the women's 65kg category after a tense three-round final against Chinese Taipei's Nien-chin Che. Parveen won the first round 5-0, Nien-chin levelled by taking the second 5-0, before Parveen edged a closely fought third round on the strength of her counter-punching to seal the title. The victory carries personal significance — Parveen had won bronze at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou but had the medal stripped for whereabouts failures. She is now the third Indian woman boxer to win gold at the Asian Games, joining Lovlina Borgohain, who took gold in the 75kg category.

'Congratulations to Parveen on winning the Women's 65kg Boxing Gold at the Asian Games after a hard-fought final. Hers is a remarkable achievement that adds another glorious chapter to Indian boxing,' Modi said.

Sepaktakraw Team Wins Historic Bronze

India's men's quadrant sepaktakraw team — comprising Malemnganba Singh Sorokhaibam, Ram Kumar Sharma, Bobby Kumar, and Akash Yumnam (with substitutes Lokhon Singh Elangbam and Tekong Arun) — secured a bronze medal at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium after a 0-2 semifinal defeat to Japan, losing by narrow margins of 12-15 and 13-15. This is India's first-ever medal in the men's quadrant event at the Asian Games, and only India's third sepaktakraw medal at the Asiad overall, following a men's team regu bronze at the 2018 Jakarta Games and a women's team regu medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

'Congratulations to the Indian Men's Quadrant Team on winning the Bronze Medal at the Asian Games. This is India's first-ever medal in the Men's Quadrant event at the Games. Their determination and fighting spirit are exemplary,' Modi said.

Nethra Kumanan Ends 12-Year Asian Games Wait

Sailor Nethra Kumanan won bronze in the women's dinghy event at Kaiyoh Yacht Harbour, finishing with 14 points after the two-race final series. Thailand's Sophia Montgomery took gold with 5 points and Singapore's Jania Ang claimed silver with 13. The result ended Nethra's 12-year wait for an Asian Games podium finish, and is India's third sailing medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Games — alongside the men's skiff silver won by Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble, and the women's skiff bronze by Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma.

'Congratulations to Nethra Kumanan on winning the Bronze Medal in the Women's Dinghy event at the Asian Games! This is indeed a great accomplishment for India. May she continue to scale new heights and inspire a new generation of athletes in our nation,' Modi said.

India's haul across wrestling, boxing, sepaktakraw, and sailing on Friday marks one of the more medal-rich single days of its Asian Games 2026 campaign, with attention now turning to whether the broader athletics and team-sport contingent can add further to the tally before the Games conclude.