Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: Quimcy Dsouza falls in semis, bronze medal now in sight – The Tech Word News

Asian Games 2026 Live Updates: The 2026 Asian Games have kicked off in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with India entering the continental showpiece looking to build on their impressive performance from the previous edition in Hangzhou. Over 500 Indian athletes are set to compete in 37 sports as the country aims for another strong medal haul.

The very opening day brought drama in teqball for India. Quimcy Dsouza edged agonizingly close to the women’s singles final after taking control early in the deciding set against Indonesia’s Ima Sumaya. Dsouza led 4-1 but was unable to hold on as Sumaya cruised to a 12-7 third-set victory. The Indonesian advanced to the final, Dsouza will now fight for bronze on Sunday.

Two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat are India’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony, highlighting the country’s representation across various sports disciplines.

The 20th Asian Games runs from September 19 to October 4 and will feature athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 43 sports and 469 medal events. Japan is hosting the games for the third time, having previously been held in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.

India finished fourth in the medal standings in Hangzhou with 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver and 41 bronze. There are five individual Olympic medalists in the contingent, although Neeraj Chopra withdrew from the Games due to an ankle injury.

PV Sindhu will spearhead India’s badminton challenge while Mirabai Chanu will lead the weightlifting team. Manu Bhaker, Lovlina Borgohain and Aman Sehrawat are among the country’s other prominent athletes in shooting, boxing and wrestling.

Athletics is expected to make a significant contribution to India’s campaign, with more than 70 athletes competing. Gulveer Singh, Tejaswin Shankar and Sarvesh Kushare are among the athletes to watch while Tajinderpal Singh Toor will aim for another hurling title.

India will also defend their men’s and women’s cricket and kabaddi titles along with the men’s hockey crown. Shreyas Iyer leads the men’s T20, which includes teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Harmanpreet Kaur captains the women’s team. Hockey also has Olympic significance, with the men’s and women’s champions directly qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.