Asian Games 2026: Murmu hails kabaddi gold, squash bronze, shooting silver
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu's back-to-back posts on X after Asian Games 2026 captured a rare multi-sport medal day for India — a kabaddi gold defence, a squash mixed doubles bronze, and a shooting silver from a rifle trio that outscored all but China. Three sports, three podiums, one presidential salute.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu congratulated three sets of Indian medallists at the Asian Games 2026 on 26 September 2026 via posts on X.
Shooters Tilottama Sen , Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal , and Ashi Chouksey won silver in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions team event with a combined score of 1,763-90x , behind China .
Squash pair Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar claimed bronze in mixed doubles squash .
India's women's kabaddi team successfully defended their Asian Games gold medal in a closely contested final.
The triple podium spans combat, racquet, and precision shooting disciplines, reflecting India's broadening medal base.
President Droupadi Murmu on 26 September 2026 congratulated three sets of Indian medallists at the Asian Games 2026 — the women's kabaddi team for defending their gold, squash mixed doubles pair Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar for a bronze, and shooters Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal, and Ashi Chouksey for a silver in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions team event. The President posted separate messages on X, underscoring what she called 'teamwork, shared determination, and unyielding resolve.'
Shooting Silver: India's Rifle Trio Finish Behind China
The Indian shooting trio combined for an aggregate score of 1,763-90x to claim the silver medal in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions team event, finishing behind China, while Kazakhstan took bronze. Tilottama Sen led the Indian effort with 590-32x, Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal contributed 588-29x, and Ashi Chouksey added 585-29x to the team total.
President Murmu wrote on X: 'Warmest congratulations to Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal and Ashi Chouksey on winning the Silver Medal in the Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Team event at the Asian Games 2026. Your achievement reflects the strength of teamwork and shared determination. May this success inspire you to aim even higher.'
Squash Mixed Doubles: Joshna and Velavan Claim Bronze
The experienced Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar secured a bronze medal in the mixed doubles squash event at the Asian Games 2026, following a competitive run through the draw. The pair combined their individual experience to deliver India a podium finish in a discipline that demands both athleticism and tactical coordination.
The President said: 'I warmly congratulate Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar on winning the Bronze Medal in Mixed Doubles Squash at the Asian Games 2026. Your partnership and perseverance have demonstrated the strength and spirit of Indian squash.'
Women's Kabaddi: India Defend Continental Title in Tense Final
India's women's kabaddi team successfully defended their Asian Games gold medal, overcoming a closely fought final to retain continental supremacy. The title defence underlines India's enduring dominance in women's kabaddi at the Asian Games level.
President Murmu posted: 'Kudos to our Women's Kabaddi Team for a superb title defence! In a closely contested final, you battled through every challenge and stood firm under pressure to retain the Gold for India. This hard-earned victory reflects the courage, composure and unyielding resolve that define champions.'
India's Multi-Sport Momentum at Asian Games 2026
The triple recognition from the President on a single day reflects the breadth of India's medal push across disciplines at the Asian Games 2026. Notably, the haul spans three distinct sports — combat, racquet, and precision shooting — pointing to a widening competitive base beyond traditional strongholds. With the Games still ongoing, the tally is expected to grow further.
Point of View
But three separate acknowledgements in a single day signals the scale of India's medal output at these Games. What stands out is the diversity — kabaddi gold, squash bronze, and a shooting silver where the Indian trio was separated from China's top score by a narrow margin. India's traditional dominance in kabaddi is well documented, but the rifle team's near-podium-topping aggregate and Joshna Chinappa's continued presence on an Asian Games podium — given her long career arc — are the stories that deserve closer examination. Whether this breadth translates into a record overall tally at Asian Games 2026 remains the question the next few days will answer.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medals did India win at the Asian Games 2026 on 26 September?
India claimed three medals on 26 September 2026 at the Asian Games: a gold in women's kabaddi (title defence), a bronze in mixed doubles squash (Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar), and a silver in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions team event (Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal, Ashi Chouksey).
How did the Indian shooting trio perform in the women's 50m rifle 3 positions team event?
The Indian trio of Tilottama Sen, Vidarsa Vinod Kochalumkal, and Ashi Chouksey combined for a score of 1,763-90x to finish second behind China and win the silver medal. Tilottama led with 590-32x, followed by Vidarsa with 588-29x and Ashi with 585-29x.
Who won the squash mixed doubles bronze for India at the Asian Games 2026?
Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar won the bronze medal in mixed doubles squash at the Asian Games 2026. The pair advanced through a competitive draw before securing the podium finish.
Did India's women's kabaddi team retain their Asian Games title in 2026?
Yes, India's women's kabaddi team successfully defended their Asian Games gold medal at the 2026 edition, winning a closely contested final. The victory continues India's dominance in women's kabaddi at the continental level.
What did President Murmu say about India's Asian Games 2026 medallists?
President Droupadi Murmu posted separate messages on X congratulating all three sets of medallists. She praised the shooting trio's 'teamwork and shared determination,' called the squash pair's performance a display of 'partnership and perseverance,' and lauded the kabaddi team's 'courage, composure and unyielding resolve' in their title defence.
