The Indian contingent maintained its strong podium run on Day 13 of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Grappler Nitesh Siwach secured a landmark silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling on Thursday afternoon.
Furthermore, the Indian men’s squash team bagged a gritty bronze medal after a grueling semifinal battle. These achievements added to India’s expanding medal haul as the continental games enter their decisive final weekend, according to live updates from The Indian Express.
Nitesh Siwach Ends 64-Year Greco-Roman Drought
Competing in the men’s 97kg Greco-Roman division, Nitesh Siwach produced a defensive masterclass across earlier rounds. He defeated higher-seeded continental opponents to reach the gold medal contest.
Although he fell just short of the title in the final bout, his second-place finish carries enormous historical weight. In fact, his podium finish marks India’s first silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Asian Games since 1962.
Consequently, his silver ends a 64-year wait for the national federation and establishes a new benchmark for Indian heavyweights, as highlighted by Olympics.com.
Men’s Squash Team Battles to Bronze
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s squash squad secured a podium finish following a hard-fought contest on the glass court. Facing a formidable Malaysian lineup in the semi-finals, Indian players pushed their opponents through long, punishing rallies.
However, Malaysia edged out decisive tiebreaks in the third game to clinch the tie. Despite the narrow defeat, the Indian side secured the bronze medal under tournament rules.
The result mirrored the women’s squash team of Joshana Chinappa, Anahat Singh, and Tanvi Khanna, who also secured a bronze medal earlier in the morning, according to coverage by The Hindu.
High Drama in Team Sports: Hockey and Cricket
Apart from individual combat and racquet sports, Thursday delivered intense drama in team events. The Indian men’s hockey team defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 4-3 in a pulsating semi-final thriller.
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh converted crucial penalty corners to hold off a furious late Pakistani fightback. As a result, the hockey squad advanced directly to the gold medal match.
In addition, the Indian men’s cricket team overwhelmed Sri Lanka by 124 runs in their semi-final fixture. Therefore, India set up a blockbuster final against Pakistan for the Asian Games gold medal, as detailed by Rediff Sports.
Steady Rise in the Continental Standings
Day 13 proved to be one of the most productive days for the Indian delegation across diverse disciplines. Sailing pair Prince Noble Kurisinkal and Manu Francis also chipped in with a silver medal in the water events.
These consistent podium finishes keep India firmly entrenched in the top tier of the overall medal standings. With multiple gold medal clashes scheduled over Friday and Saturday, the national contingent remains poised to finish the Games with one of its strongest athletic performances in history.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
