India added two more medals on Day 9 of the Asian Games 2026, with shooter Esha Singh winning silver in the women’s 25m pistol individual event and Pincky Balhara securing bronze in the women’s – 78kg Kurash competition.
The two medals came from different sports and added to India’s medal tally at the ongoing Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Esha Singh Wins Silver in 25m Pistol
Esha Singh produced a strong performance in the women’s 25m pistol individual final to claim the silver medal. The 21-year-old Indian shooter fought through several shoot-offs during a closely contested final before finishing second.
Esha and China’s Xiao Jiaruixuan were tied at 38 points at the end of regulation, setting up a tense gold-medal shoot-off. Esha eventually missed out on the top spot by a single shot and had to settle for silver.
North Korea’s Kim Hyon Suk took the bronze medal after losing the shoot-off to Esha.
Esha had entered the final after finishing eighth in qualification. Her silver was particularly significant after India’s women’s 25m pistol team finished fifth in the team competition earlier in the day. The Indian team featured Esha, Manu Bhaker and Rahi Sarnobat.
Pincky Balhara Secures Kurash Bronze
India also secured a medal in Kurash through Pincky Balhara in the women’s – 78kg category.
Balhara defeated South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the quarterfinal to secure a place in the semifinals and guarantee India a medal. She then faced South Korea’s Sumin Mo in the semifinal but lost 0-5, ending her campaign with a bronze medal.
The medal is another important achievement for Balhara at the Asian Games. She had previously won a silver medal in the women’s -52kg category at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, when Kurash made its Asian Games debut.
India Adds More Medals on Day 9
Esha Singh’s silver and Pincky Balhara’s bronze were part of a busy day for the Indian contingent. India also remained involved across several sports, including athletics, boxing, archery, squash, hockey and cricket.
India’s men’s cricket team also progressed to the semifinal after its quarterfinal against Afghanistan was abandoned without a toss because of rain. Under the competition rules, India advanced based on its higher ICC ranking.
With several Indian athletes still competing in medal events, the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games continue to provide opportunities for the country to add to its medal tally.
The Indian contingent will now look to build on the momentum as more medal events continue at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.
