Asian Games 2026: India add sepaktakraw bronze as medal tally swells to 72

NEW DELHI: India added another bronze to their swelling medal tally at the Asian Games on Friday as their men’s sepaktakraw team bowed out in the semifinal at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium.India went down 0-2 to hosts Japan in a tightly contested men’s quadrant semifinal, losing 12-15 and 13-15. The defeat ended their campaign with a bronze medal, but the podium finish marked another significant addition to India’s medal haul at Aichi-Nagoya.The bronze was India’s sixth medal of the day and took the overall tally to 72 — 12 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze.Asian Games Full Coverage | Medal Tally | ScheduleIndia fall short against JapanIndia stayed competitive throughout the semifinal but could not convert the crucial points in either set. Japan edged the opening set 15-12 before holding their nerve to win the second 15-13 and secure a place in the gold-medal match.The result meant India finished their sepaktakraw campaign with one bronze medal.India had entered the semifinals unbeaten after topping Group A. They secured their place in the last four with a 2-1 victory over Myanmar on Thursday, winning 10-15, 15-13, 15-7.Earlier in the group stage, India had beaten Laos before defeating Vietnam 2-0 (15-12, 15-9). Indonesia topped Group B.Six medals and counting on FridayThe sepaktakraw bronze came after a prolific start to Friday for India.Kumkum Mohod, Ankita Bhakat and Kirti Sharma won gold in the women’s recurve team event, while Kumkum and Dhiraj Bommadevara claimed silver in the mixed recurve team event.Nethra Kumanan added a bronze in the women’s dinghy, while Lovlina Borgohain won gold in the women’s 75kg boxing final. India’s men’s recurve team then secured another silver.With the sepaktakraw bronze, India reached 72 medals and still have several medal opportunities on Friday.Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal are set for boxing gold-medal bouts, while wrestler Sujeet will fight Abdulmazid Kudiev of Tajikistan for gold. India’s women’s hockey team will face China in the final, while Dipanshi will compete for wrestling bronze against Kazakhstan’s Zeinep Bayanova.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.