Asian Games: Nethra Kumanan ends long wait for maiden sailing medal with bronze

Nethra Kumanan (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: India’s Nethra Kumanan on Friday finally surpassed her Asian Games medal haul to claim bronze in the women’s sculls at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, securing her first medal at the continental showpiece in her fourth appearance.The 29-year-old Chennai-based sailor, a two-time Olympian, finished third overall with 14 points – seven from qualifying races and seven from the final – behind Thailand’s Sophia Montgomery, who won gold with five points, and Singapore’s Jania Ang, who won silver with 13.In yachting, lower scores are better, with competitors receiving points corresponding to their finishing position in each race. The sailor with the lowest total score wins the regatta.Nethra entered the final day with a medal within reach and delivered when it mattered. She finished sixth in one of the two final races, winning the other to consolidate her position on the podium.Asian Games full coverage | Medal Tally | Schedule

Fourth lucky for Nethra

The bronze was particularly significant for Nethra, who had endured heartbreak at previous Asian Games.She competed in 2014, 2018 and 2022, but twice missed out on a medal, finishing fourth both times. Her persistence finally paid off in Aichi-Nagoya when she turned another strong campaign into a podium finish.Nethra’s medal also contributed to India’s rising sailing at the Games.India had already secured two yachting medals ahead of Friday’s competition. Manu Francis and Prince Noble won silver in men’s sculls on Thursday, while Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma clinched bronze in women’s sculls.The women’s sculls medal came after India initially finished fourth, with the position upgraded following China’s disqualification.

He missed Vishnu despite a strong finish

In the men’s boat race, there was disappointment for India’s Vishnu Saravanan as the Olympian finished fourth.Saravanan finished his last two races strongly, finishing second in both, but an accumulated qualifying score of 17 saw him take 21 points overall and out of the medal positions.South Korea’s Jeemin Ha won gold with nine points, Hong Kong’s Nicholas Halliday took silver with 11, while Malaysia’s Mohd Khairulnizam finished third with 14.Saravanan had won bronze at the previous Asian Games.