The Asian Games began in 1951, and the 20th edition is currently underway. Over the years, many young Indian athletes have delivered outstanding performances. One Indian athlete won a gold medal at the Asian Games at the age of just 16, becoming the only one to achieve this feat. While no one else has won gold at that specific age, several Indian athletes have secured medals before turning 16. In the history of the Asian Games, there have been five such Indian athletes who defied their age and brought glory to India on the global stage. This time, Vaibhav Suryavanshi could also join this list; the 15-year-old has a strong chance of winning gold. If Team India wins the gold medal in cricket, Vaibhav will become the youngest athlete ever to win a gold medal.
Indian squash player Anahat Singh made history on Sunday, September 27, by winning a silver medal at the Asian Games 2026 at the age of 18. The Junior World Champion became the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in the women's singles event. In the final, she faced defeat against Malaysia's reigning champion Sivasangari Subramaniam with a score of 4-11, 4-11, 7-11. Although she did not win the gold medal, securing the silver is a historic achievement in itself. She had previously made history at the 2023 Asian Games as well; at the age of 15 years, 6 months, and 16 days, she won a bronze medal, and now, at 18, she has once again made history by winning the silver. Anahat has become the second-youngest athlete to win a silver medal.
These are the 5 youngest Indian medalists
1. Sanjana Bathula
Sanjana Bathula made history by winning a medal at the 2023 Asian Games. She secured a bronze medal in the women's 3000m relay event at the age of just 15, becoming the youngest athlete to win a medal at the Asian Games.
2. Anahat Singh
Anahat Singh is the youngest Indian squash player to win a medal at the Asian Games; she secured a bronze medal at the age of 15 years, 6 months, and 16 days. She won this medal in the women's team event, becoming the second-youngest athlete to win an Asian Games medal for India.
3. Shardul Vihan
Shardul Vihan made history by winning a medal at the 2018 Asian Games at the age of 16 years, 7 months, and 12 days. This was a particularly special medal for Shardul, as he became the youngest athlete to win a silver medal. He secured the medal in the men's double trap event in 2018.
4. Saurabh Chaudhary
Saurabh Chaudhary is a notable name, as he is the only athlete to have won a gold medal at such a young age. Saurabh won gold at the 2018 Asian Games when he was 16 years, 3 months, and 9 days old. He achieved this feat in the 10m air pistol event. Remarkably, no other athlete has managed to win gold at this age; his record has remained unbroken for the past eight years.
5. Anahat Singh
Anahat Singh won a bronze medal in 2023 at the age of 15. Now, she has won a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games. With this achievement, she has become the only Indian athlete to win two medals at such a young age. She has also become the second-youngest athlete to win a silver medal.
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