Sailors Manu Francis, Prince Noble win Asian Games 2026 silver in sailing skiff
Synopsis
Childhood friends and Ernakulam natives Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal survived a cyclone-hit final day, a slip to fourth, and a points tie to claim silver in men's sailing skiff at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya — completing one of the more dramatic podium finishes of the Games for India.
Key Takeaways
Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal won silver in the men's sailing skiff event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan .
The duo accumulated 23 net points across nine races to finish on the podium.
They dropped to fourth place on the final day due to strong cyclone winds and technical issues before recovering to second in the final race.
Silver was awarded over a tied third-place team based on superior race finishing positions .
Both athletes were given a grand reception at Nedumbassery Airport , Ernakulam, on 16 October 2026 .
The pair urged more Indians to take up sailing, calling it a sport with 'numerous opportunities.'
Kerala sailors Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal were given a rousing homecoming reception at Nedumbassery Airport near Ernakulam on Friday, 16 October 2026, after the childhood friends secured a silver medal in the men's sailing skiff event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The duo finished with 23 net points across nine races, etching their names in Kerala's sporting history.
The Welcome Home
Family members, friends, and Varapuzha Panchayat President Viju Chullikkad received the athletes at the airport. The reception reflected the enormous pride their achievement has stirred in Ernakulam and across Kerala, with the pair becoming the latest names from the state to bring home an Asian Games podium finish.
A Dramatic Race to the Podium
The road to silver was anything but smooth. Speaking at the reception, the athletes described a turbulent final day that tested every bit of their skill and composure. They had to navigate strong winds triggered by a cyclone, while also contending with minor errors and technical issues with their boat mid-race.
Those setbacks saw Manu and Prince slip to fourth position at one stage, raising the alarming prospect of missing the podium altogether. A sharp recovery in the final race pulled them back to second place. Notably, a third-placed team finished with the same points tally, but Manu Francis and Prince Noble were awarded the silver based on superior race finishing positions — a fine margin that underlined just how competitive the event was.
Close to Gold, Settled for Silver
Both athletes acknowledged that the result carried mixed emotions. They came within reach of the gold medal before the dramatic late-stage reversal, and by their own account, fortune could have tilted the outcome. Nevertheless, their turnaround from near-elimination to the podium has been widely praised as a display of mental fortitude. The silver completed a sensational arc for the Ernakulam natives who began their sailing journey in Kerala's backwaters before competing on an international stage in Japan.
A Push for Sailing in India
Both athletes used the occasion to advocate for wider participation in the sport. They described sailing as an exciting discipline offering significant competitive opportunities, and encouraged more young athletes from Kerala and across India to take it up. Their achievement is expected to boost visibility for sailing — a sport that remains relatively niche despite India's long coastline and waterway network.
As Asian Games medallists, Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal now stand among India's most decorated active sailors, and their next competitive calendar will be watched closely by the sailing community.
Point of View
Yet receives a fraction of the institutional support given to athletics or wrestling. The tiebreaker finish, decided by race position rather than points, also underlines how thin the margins are at this level and how a better-resourced campaign — superior equipment, more race days, dedicated coaching — could convert these silvers into golds. Kerala's consistent production of water-sports talent deserves a national programme to match.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal?
Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal are sailors from Ernakulam, Kerala, who won a silver medal in the men's sailing skiff event at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The childhood friends began their sailing careers in Kerala and have now become two of India's most prominent competitive sailors.
What event did India's sailors win silver in at Asian Games 2026?
India's Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal won silver in the men's sailing skiff event at the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. They finished with 23 net points across nine races.
How did Manu and Prince secure the silver medal despite the points tie?
A third-placed team ended the competition with the same points as Manu Francis and Prince Noble, but the silver was awarded to the Indian duo based on superior race finishing positions — a tiebreaker rule used in competitive sailing.
What challenges did the sailors face on the final day?
On the final day of competition, Manu and Prince had to contend with strong winds caused by a cyclone, as well as minor mistakes and technical problems with their boat. These setbacks pushed them down to fourth place before a strong final race pulled them back up to second.
Where were the sailors received after returning from the Asian Games?
Manu Francis and Prince Noble Kurishingal were given a grand reception at Nedumbassery Airport near Ernakulam on 16 October 2026. Family members, friends, and Varapuzha Panchayat President Viju Chullikkad were among those who welcomed them home.
