Updates on Asian Games 2026 from the Indian point of view underline the significance of an eventful Day 4 in Aichi–Nagoya. India added medals across weightlifting, shooting and soft tennis, with Mirabai Chanu’s silver providing the headline moment. The day also brought a historic first in soft tennis, while the men’s badminton team remained in contention for a place in the final. By the latest available tally, India had 11 medals—one gold, five silver and five bronze.

Mirabai Ends India’s Long Weightlifting Wait

Mirabai Chanu secured silver in the women’s 49kg category with a combined lift of 198kg, comprising 87kg in the snatch and 111kg in the clean and jerk. North Korea’s Ri Song Gum won gold with 215kg, while Indonesia’s Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana took bronze.

The medal was particularly significant because it was Chanu’s first Asian Games medal, while also ending India’s 28-year wait for a weightlifting podium finish. India’s previous Asian Games weightlifting medal came through Karnam Malleswari at Bangkok 1998.

Shooting Adds Two More Bronze Medals

India strengthened its shooting haul with bronze medals in both the women’s and men’s skeet team events.

The women’s team of Raiza Dhillon, Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Maheshwari Chauhan finished third, while Anantjeet Singh Naruka, Mairaj Ahmad Khan and Bhavtegh Singh Gill secured bronze in the men’s event. The latter medal came after India prevailed in a shoot-off.

The results reinforced shooting’s importance to India’s campaign, even as Manu Bhaker finished fifth in the women’s 10m air-pistol final.

Jay Meena Creates Soft Tennis History

Jay Meena produced one of Day 4’s most notable breakthroughs by securing India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in soft tennis. He reached the men’s singles semi-finals after defeating the Philippines’ Sherwin Nuguit in a dramatic quarter-final before his campaign ended in the last four.

The historic medal gives a relatively lesser-known Indian sport a significant continental breakthrough and could help expand its visibility and institutional support.

Badminton Tie Keeps India’s Hopes Alive

India’s men’s badminton team faced China in the semi-final after sweeping Japan 3–0 in the quarter-final. Lakshya Sen contested the opening singles, while Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty led the doubles challenge. India had already secured at least a bronze by reaching the last four.

A Day That Broadened India’s Medal Story

Day 4 combined experience, consistency and historic breakthroughs. Mirabai restored India’s weightlifting presence, shooting delivered twin bronzes and Jay Meena opened a new chapter in soft tennis. With badminton and several other disciplines still carrying medal possibilities, India’s campaign is increasingly being defined not by one sport, but by a widening competitive base across the Asian Games.

(With agency inputs)