Industry Odisha Bureau, Sep 23: Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu headline India’s medal push at Asian Games 2026. Shooting, badminton, squash and wushu add further opportunities in Aichi-Nagoya.
India enters another crowded competition day at Asian Games 2026. Aichi-Nagoya hosts a packed Wednesday schedule for Indian athletes. Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu anchor the day’s biggest storylines. Shooting, badminton, squash and wushu add further medal chances.
Bhaker Returns to Asian Games Shooting Stage
Manu Bhaker competes in women’s 10m air pistol today. She remains a double Olympic medallist heading into Aichi-Nagoya. Bhaker won bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics. She missed an individual medal at Hangzhou 2023 though. An individual Asian Games podium finish remains her target now.
Chanu Targets Missing Asian Games Podium
Mirabai Chanu features in women’s 49kg weightlifting on Wednesday. She won Olympic silver at Tokyo 2020 previously. Chanu finished fourth at the Hangzhou Asian Games. An injury stopped her completing her final clean and jerk. She arrives fresh from Commonwealth Games gold in Glasgow. An Asian Games medal remains the one gap in her record.
Shooting Offers India Further Opportunities
India’s skeet shooters are completing three days of qualification. Anantjeet Singh Naruka remains among the shooters in focus. He recovered strongly after a difficult opening round. Qualification results will shape India’s remaining shooting medal hopes.
India Faces China in Badminton Semi-Final
India’s men’s badminton team meets China in the semi-finals. The team already secured a medal by beating Japan. Lakshya Sen features prominently within that squad. A semi-final win would send India into the final. The medal itself is already guaranteed regardless of Wednesday’s result.
Squash Carries Los Angeles 2028 Significance
Indian squash players begin their singles campaigns at Aichi-Nagoya. Anahat Singh received a first-round bye in the draw. She starts her own campaign on Thursday instead. The singles events double as Olympic qualification pathways. Champions in both draws can earn Los Angeles 2028 quotas.
Roshibina Devi Secures Another Asian Games Medal
Wushu competitor Roshibina Devi has reached the semi-finals. She competes in the women’s 60kg sanda category. Her semi-final spot already guarantees an Asian Games medal. It marks her third individual medal across three appearances. The result showcases her remarkable consistency at this level.
Hockey and Kabaddi Add to Busy Indian Schedule
India’s hockey teams continue their group-stage campaigns Wednesday. Kabaddi squads are also still competing in groups. Boxer Ankush features in the men’s 80kg category too. Swimming rounds out India’s wide-ranging medal opportunities today. Aichi-Nagoya continues delivering a demanding schedule across multiple disciplines. India’s broader Asian Games campaign moves into another significant phase.
