The Indian women’s hockey team has ended its 44-year drought for a gold medal at the Asian Games. India, ranked 8th in the world rankings, defeated China, ranked 4th, 1-0 in a hard-fought final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium.
They have also qualified for the 2028 LA Olympics. Lalremsiami shone in the final and scored the winning goal for India in the 10th minute from open play. Interestingly, this was her 200th outing in the national colours. She has established herself as a key member of the team since her debut in 2017 and scored the decisive goal in the final. She has now won a gold, a silver and a bronze at the Asian Games.
India’s historic gold in the 2026 Asian Games was their second in the event’s history. The Women in Blue had won their previous gold in the 1982 Asian Games, held in Delhi.
They followed up with a bronze medal in 1986. India won silver in 1998 and bronze medals in the 2006 and 2014 Asian Games. They clinched a silver in 2018 and a bronze in the 2023 Asian Games.
Indian men’s team eyes gold
The men’s team is also eyeing a historic gold. The Men in Blue will face Malaysia in the final on Saturday (October 3). India defeated Pakistan 4-3 in a hard-fought semi-final to punch their ticket to the gold medal match. India defeated Japan in the 2023 Asian Games final to win the gold.
India have won 76 medals in the ongoing Asian Games so far. Boxer Ankush won gold in the men’s 80kg category on Friday (October 2). Boxer Parveen Hooda made a remarkable comeback in the final to win gold by defeating China Taipei’s Chen Nien-Chen 3-2. Sujeet Kalkal ended India’s wait for a gold in wrestling by winning the 65kg final.