Indian hockey legend Manpreet Singh has made history by becoming the first player from India to secure three gold medals at the Asian Games.
This remarkable achievement came after India triumphed over Malaysia in the final match held on Saturday. As India’s most-capped player, Manpreet added yet another gold to his impressive collection, showcasing a stellar performance by the Indian team in the final.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s Milestone
In a significant milestone, captain Harmanpreet Singh became the first Indian captain to lead the men’s hockey team to two gold medals at the Asian Games. He played a crucial role in the final, scoring two goals as India secured a decisive 5-1 victory against Malaysia, successfully defending their title.
India’s Gold Medal and Olympic Qualification
The Indian men’s hockey team clinched the gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games by defeating Malaysia 5-1 in the final, marking back-to-back golds at this prestigious event. This victory also represents India’s 85th medal at the Asian Games, which includes a total of 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze medals. Additionally, this win has qualified India for the LA Olympics 2028.
A Historic Double-Gold Triumph
The men’s hockey team made history by defending their Asian Games gold medal for the first time, achieving consecutive titles in 2022 and 2026. This victory marks India’s fifth gold in men’s hockey at the Asian Games, following previous wins in 1966, 1998, 2014, and 2022. Notably, this is the first occasion where both the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams have won gold in the same edition of the Asian Games. With this achievement, hockey joins kabaddi and cricket as the only Indian team sports to achieve a double-gold finish at the continental event.