Asian Games 2026: Sarvesh takes high jump silver, Parul wins 3000m steeplechase bronze
Synopsis
In a standout evening for Indian athletics at Nagoya, Sarvesh Kushare narrowly missed gold in the high jump — losing only on attempt countback at 2.25m — while Parul Chaudhary made history by becoming the first Indian woman to clock under 9:10 in the 3000m steeplechase, smashing her own national record en route to bronze. It is Chaudhary's third Asian Games medal across two editions.
Key Takeaways
Sarvesh Kushare won silver in the men's high jump at Asian Games 2026 in Nagoya , clearing 2.25m .
Gold went to Chao Hsuan-Fu of Chinese Taipei on attempt countback; Sanghyeok Woo of South Korea took bronze at 2.22m .
Parul Chaudhary won bronze in the women's 3000m steeplechase , clocking a national record of 9:08.67 .
Chaudhary became the first Indian woman to go below the 9:10 mark in the steeplechase.
Yavi Winfred of Bahrain won gold in a games-record 9:04.36 ; Kazakhstan's Norah Tanui took silver in 9:06.82 .
The bronze is Chaudhary's third Asian Games medal , having won gold and silver at Hangzhou 2022 .
India added two more medals to its Asian Games 2026 tally on Sunday at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya, with Sarvesh Kushare claiming silver in the men's high jump and Parul Chaudhary securing bronze in the women's 3000m steeplechase. Chaudhary's bronze was accompanied by a national record, making her the first Indian woman to clock under 9:10 in the event.
Sarvesh Kushare's High Jump Final
Kushare began imperiously, clearing 2.10m, 2.14m, 2.18m, and 2.22m — all on his first attempts — to stay among the top contenders throughout the final. He matched eventual gold medallist Chao Hsuan-Fu of Chinese Taipei at 2.25m, but the decisive difference came down to attempts: Chao cleared the height on his first try, while Kushare required two.
With the contest locked at 2.25m, both athletes attempted 2.28m but could not clear it in three tries. Under countback rules, Chao claimed gold, and Kushare settled for silver. Republic of Korea's Sanghyeok Woo took bronze with a jump of 2.22m.
Parul Chaudhary Sets National Record in Steeplechase
Parul Chaudhary delivered one of the performances of India's Games campaign, clocking 9:08.67 in the women's 3000m steeplechase — smashing her own national record and becoming the first Indian woman to dip below the 9:10 barrier. The achievement is especially significant given that Chaudhary had finished fourth in the 1500m just days earlier.
She ran in the leading pack from the gun and was in contention for silver at the halfway point, before Kazakhstan's Norah Tanui — who clocked 9:06.82 — pulled away to claim silver. Bahrain's Yavi Winfred won gold in a games-record 9:04.36. India's other entrant, Ankita, finished fourth with a timing of 9:19.24.
Parul's Third Asian Games Medal
The bronze takes Chaudhary's Asian Games medal haul to three. At the Hangzhou Games in 2022, she had won gold in the 5000m and silver in the 3000m steeplechase — making her one of the most decorated Indian track athletes at the continental level. This is the second consecutive Asian Games in which she has stood on the steeplechase podium.
India's Athletics Campaign at Nagoya
Notably, both medals arrived on the same evening, underlining a strong showing from Indian track and field at these Games. With athletics events continuing, India will be looking to add to its medal count in the remaining disciplines. The double-podium finish reflects the depth developing in Indian middle and long-distance running, as well as the technical disciplines like high jump.
Point of View
Losing gold only on the countback at 2.25m. The margin between gold and silver was a single attempt, not ability. Parul Chaudhary's story is the more resonant one: a national record under 9:10 in the same Games where she missed a 1500m medal underscores her range and resilience. India's growing depth in middle-distance and steeplechase is no longer a talking point — Chaudhary's third Asian Games medal in two editions makes it a documented pattern. The real question is whether Athletics Federation of India can build a pipeline around these performances or whether they remain individual feats of excellence in an otherwise thin system.
NationPress
27 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sarvesh Kushare win silver at Asian Games 2026?
Sarvesh Kushare cleared 2.25m in the men's high jump final at Nagoya, matching gold medallist Chao Hsuan-Fu of Chinese Taipei. Since Chao cleared the height on his first attempt while Kushare needed two, Chao took gold on countback and Kushare claimed silver.
What national record did Parul Chaudhary set at Asian Games 2026?
Parul Chaudhary clocked 9:08.67 in the women's 3000m steeplechase, breaking her own national record and becoming the first Indian woman to finish the event in under 9 minutes and 10 seconds.
How many Asian Games medals does Parul Chaudhary have?
Parul Chaudhary now has three Asian Games medals. She won gold in the 5000m and silver in the 3000m steeplechase at the Hangzhou Games in 2022, and added a steeplechase bronze at the 2026 Nagoya Games.
Who won gold in the men's high jump at Asian Games 2026?
Chao Hsuan-Fu of Chinese Taipei won gold in the men's high jump at Asian Games 2026, clearing 2.25m on his first attempt. Sarvesh Kushare of India won silver after matching the height but requiring two attempts.
Where are Asian Games 2026 being held?
The Asian Games 2026 are being held in Nagoya, Japan. The athletics events, including the high jump and 3000m steeplechase, are taking place at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
