Indian women who scripted history in Asian Games 2026

Indian women produced several landmark performances at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, from historic individual gold medals to record-breaking athletics performances and long-awaited team triumphs. Here are some of the Indian women and teams who made their mark at the Games. (wikimedia commons)

Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma: Sailors Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma won bronze in the women’s skiff event. The pair initially finished fourth, but moved into the bronze-medal position after China’s third-placed crew was disqualified. Their podium finish improved on India’s previous performance in the event. (facebook:श्रेयसी सिंह)

Pranavi Urs: Pranavi Urs created history in golf by becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal at the Asian Games. The 23-year-old golfer from Mysuru finished with a four-round score of 15-under 265, winning by one stroke. She also helped India secure silver in the women’s team event alongside Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar. (twitter: the khel india)

Kumkum Mohod: Seventeen-year-old archer Kumkum Mohod became the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve gold medal at the Asian Games. She defeated South Korea’s Oh Yejin in a shoot-off in the final. Mohod was also part of the Indian women’s recurve team that won the country’s first-ever Asian Games gold in the event. (twitter: thekhelindia)

Neeru Dhanda: Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win an individual gold medal in the women’s trap event at the Asian Games. She scored 28 in the final, surpassing the previous Asian record of 24. Earlier in the Games, she had also won silver in the women’s trap team event with Manisha Keer and Aashima Ahlawat. (instagram: mib_india)

Vithya Ramraj: Vithya Ramraj combined a medal-winning performance with a major national record. She clocked 54.75 seconds to win bronze in the women’s 400m hurdles, breaking the 42-year-old Indian record of 55.42 seconds set by P.T. Usha in 1984. Ramraj later anchored India’s women’s 4x400m relay team to gold alongside Kiran Pahal, Poovamma Machettira and Prachi. (wikipedia)

Indian Women’s Hockey Team: The Indian women’s hockey team ended a 44-year wait for Asian Games gold by defeating China 1-0 in the final. India’s previous women’s hockey gold at the Games came in 1982. Lalremsiami scored the decisive goal, while goalkeeper Savita Punia made a crucial penalty-stroke save. The victory also secured India’s qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. (instagram: latest hockey updates)