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Asian Games 2026: Indian women athletes emerged as the biggest stars for the country at the Asian Games in Japan, winning 14 of India's 21 gold medals. India finished fourth in the overall medal standings with 85 medals.
The Asian Games 2026 concluded on October 4 in Japan after two weeks of intense competition. India finished its campaign with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals, taking its overall tally to 85.
While Indian athletes performed strongly across several disciplines, the contribution of the country's women athletes stood out. They accounted for 14 of India's 21 gold medals, making them a key reason behind India's impressive performance.
Asian Games 2026: How Indian Women Dominated the Gold Medal Tally
Indian women athletes delivered gold medal-winning performances across several sports, including shooting, archery, golf, boxing, hockey, kabaddi and cricket.
Among the standout performers were Neeru Dhanda and Kumkum Mohod, who won two gold medals each.
Neeru was also selected as an Indian flag bearer for the closing ceremony after an impressive campaign in Japan.
India’s Women Athletes Shine Across Multiple Sports in Japan
The success of Indian women was not limited to one particular discipline. Athletes and teams produced medal-winning performances across shooting, archery, golf, boxing, hockey, kabaddi and cricket.
Their performances played a major role in India's overall medal tally and helped the country finish fourth in the Asian Games standings.
Women’s Kabaddi Team Retains Asian Games Gold After Thrilling Final
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The Indian women's kabaddi team successfully defended its Asian Games title with a thrilling victory over Iran.
India defeated Iran 37-34 in the final to retain the gold medal. The Indian team maintained its strong record in the competition and once again finished at the top of the podium.
The victory was another major highlight of India's women's campaign in Japan.
Indian Women’s Cricket Team Wins Second Straight Asian Games Gold
The Indian women's cricket team also retained its Asian Games crown.
India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final to win the gold medal for the second consecutive edition.
The dominant victory underlined India's growing strength in women's cricket and added another gold to the country's impressive medal tally.
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17-Year-Old Kumkum Mohod Stuns World Champion to Win Gold
One of the biggest breakthroughs for India came from 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod.
The young Indian athlete defeated South Korean world champion Yejin Oh, producing a major upset on the Asian Games stage.
Kumkum went on to win two gold medals, becoming one of the most talked-about Indian athletes of the tournament.
Her achievement was particularly significant given her young age and the quality of opposition she faced.
Pranavi Urs Creates History With India’s First Women’s Golf Gold
Indian women's golf also produced a historic moment at the Asian Games.
Pranavi Urs won the gold medal and helped India end a 24-year wait for an Asian Games golf gold.
She defeated China's world No. 6 golfer Yin Ruoning to finish at the top of the podium.
Pranavi's victory also made her the first Indian woman golfer to win an Asian Games gold medal, marking a major milestone for Indian golf.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team Ends 44-Year Wait for Asian Games Gold
The Indian women's hockey team finally ended a long wait for Asian Games gold.
India defeated China 1-0 in the final to win the women's hockey gold medal for the first time since 1982.
The Indian team had reached the final twice in the past but had failed to win gold. The 2026 victory therefore ended a 44-year wait for the Indian women's hockey team.
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Lovlina Borgohain and Parveen Hooda Deliver Golden Boxing Performances
Indian women boxers also played a key role in the country's gold medal campaign.
Lovlina Borgohain and Parveen Hooda delivered impressive performances in their respective events to win gold medals for India.
Their victories added further strength to India's medal tally and continued the country's strong record in international women's boxing.
Indian Women Win 47 Medals at Asian Games 2026
The contribution of Indian women was not limited to gold medals.
Indian female athletes won 47 medals overall during the Asian Games. Of these, 38 medals came from women's events, while another nine medals were won in mixed events.
Indian male athletes, meanwhile, won 38 medals during the competition.
The figures highlight the significant contribution of India's women athletes to the country's overall performance in Japan.
Asian Games 2026: Women Emerge as India’s Biggest Gold Medal Winners
India's 85-medal haul at the Asian Games 2026 will be remembered for the outstanding contribution of its women athletes.
With 14 of India's 21 gold medals coming from women's events, Indian women emerged as the driving force behind the country's success.
From cricket and kabaddi to hockey, boxing, shooting, golf and archery, India's women athletes delivered several memorable performances in Japan.
Their success at the Asian Games 2026 is another major sign of the growing strength of Indian women's sport and their ability to perform on the biggest international stages.
Also Read: Kainat Imtiaz Retires: 2-Time Asian Games Gold Medalist
