Asian Games: Nethra Kumanan wins bronze as sailing fetches 3 medals

Nethra Kumanan finally has an Asian Games medal to show for her years competing at the continental event. The Indian sailor on Friday secured bronze in the women’s scull event, finishing on the podium in her fourth appearance at the Games.

The 29-year-old Chennai native, a two-time Olympian, scored a total of 14 points. She scored seven points from qualifying runs and another seven in two finals. Thailand’s Sophia Montgomery won gold with five points, while Singapore’s Jania Ang finished second with 13.

ASIAN GAMES UPDATE OCTOBER 2

In sailing, a lower score is better, and competitors are awarded points based on where they place in each race. A race win earns one point, making consistency key throughout the competition.

Nethra finished sixth in one of the two final heats but responded strongly by winning the other. The performance was enough to secure bronze and end a long wait for an Asian Games medal. She previously competed in 2014, 2018 and 2022, finishing fourth in two of them.

However, disappointment for India came in the men’s event as Vishnu Saravanan narrowly missed out on the podium. The 27-year-old driver finished second in both final heats, but has 21 points remaining in qualifying overall, which puts him in fourth place.

Saravanan has won bronze in previous Asian Games and is also an Olympian. This time, Korea’s Jeemin Ha took the gold with nine points, while Hong Kong and China’s Nicholas Halliday took silver with 11. Malaysia’s Mohd Khairulnizam topped the podium with 14 points.

HARSHITA, SHITAL UPGRADED TO BRONZE

India’s Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma were promoted to bronze in the women’s sculls after initially finishing fourth.

The Indian duo finished third after China was disqualified and stripped of their bronze medal. The Chinese duo was disqualified under Rule 30.3 of the Rules of Yachting. It is also known as the U Flag rule.

According to the rule, when the U flag is displayed, a boat must ensure that no part of her hull, crew or equipment enters the triangular space between the starting line and the first mark during the last minute before the starting signal.

If a boat enters this space and is identified, it is disqualified without a hearing. The result is recorded as UFS.

The result follows Manu Francis and Prince Noble’s silver in the men’s skiff.

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