ASIAN GAMES 2026: INDIA BEATS MALAYSIA TO DEFEND MEN'S HOCKEY GOLD, QUALIFY FOR LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS

While writing a new chapter in the history of Indian hockey, the eight-time Olympic champions also clinched their fifth Asian Games gold, and the second in a row for the first time

Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh celebrates after winning the final match at the Asian Games 2026 hockey medal match against Malaysia on October 2, 2026 | Photo Credit: Reuters

Reigning Olympic bronze medallist India hammered Malaysia 5-1 to defend their men's hockey gold in the Asian Games in Kakamigahara on Saturday (October 3, 2026), and the triumph also secured them a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

While writing a new chapter in the history of Indian hockey, the eight-time Olympic champions also clinched their fifth Asian Games gold, and the second in a row for the first time.

The Indians made an attacking start as the play was mostly in the Malaysian half in the first quarter.

India converted three penalty corners through skipper Harmanpreet Singh (11th, 57th minutes) and Jugraj Singh (23rd), while vice-captain Hardik Singh scored from a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute and Shilanand Lakra completed the formalities with a field goal in the 54th minute.

Malaysia's lone goal was scored by Shello Silverius from a field effort in the 14th minute.

Malaysia secured the silver, while Pakistan won the bronze by defeating South Korea 5-3 earlier in the day.

It was double glory for Indian hockey from the Asian Games as the women's team also won the gold after 44 years, stunning reigning Olympic silver medallist and defending champions China 1-0 on Friday.

- The Hindu

INDIA BEAT VALIANT PAKISTAN TO CLINCH ASIAN GAMES T20 GOLD

Indian players celebrate after their win over Pakistan which secured the Asian Games men's T20 gold medal at the Korogi Athletic Park in Nisshin. Reuters

Hasan Nawaz's 96 not enough as double world champions win final by 19 runs

Double T20 world champions India were pushed hard until the final over by a determined Pakistan but remained calm under pressure to clinch the Asian Games men's T20 gold medal in Nisshin on Saturday.

India batted first in the final and posted an imposing score of 211-6 after blazing fifties by Abhishek Sharma (61 off 28 balls) and Tilak Varma (51 not out off 22).

Pakistan seemed down and out in the chase, slipping to 39-3 after six overs. However, middle order batter Hasan Nawaz waged a lone battle, smashing 96 from 51 balls to keep Pakistan in the hunt until the last over.

Nawaz hit five fours and seven sixes to keep India's bowling under pressure, before getting out to the final ball of the match by Shivam Dube as Pakistan were restricted to 192-6.

India thus completed a 19-run win to defend the gold medal they had won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The Indian cricket team won both the men's and women's gold medals.

India's win was set up by a belligerent start by Abhishek and a strong finish by Tilak and Dube (27 off 15). In the first three and final three overs of the innings, India scored a combined 100 runs, which proved to be the deciding factor.

Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz hit 96 in the final. Reuters

Special day for Kim

South Korean golfer Tom Kim clinched the Asian Games gold, and an exemption from military service, on Saturday while combining with compatriots Mun Do-yeob ⁠and Kim Seong-hyeon for the team silver behind China.

Kim, ⁠a four-times winner on the PGA Tour, shot a final round 64 for an 18-under total of 262 to finish three strokes ⁠clear of home favourite Kazuki Higa, China's Ding Wenyi and Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana at the Kasugai Country Club.

With no prize money on offer, the Asian Games is generally overlooked by the continent's top players ⁠but there was plenty at stake for Kim.

South Korea offers military exemptions to athletes who win ⁠Asian Games gold or medals ‌of any colour at the Olympics.

Able-bodied South Korean men usually serve at least 18 months as part of efforts to maintain a deterrent against North Korea.

Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting celebrates on the podium after winning the women's 60kg final. Reuters

Meanwhile, Taiwan boxer Lin Yu-ting won an Asian Games gold in her new weight category two years after she was caught up in a gender dispute at the Paris Olympics.

Lin and Algeria's Imane Khelif both won gold in Paris amid a dispute over their eligibility. Lin was cleared to compete earlier ⁠this year after World Boxing completed a review of her eligibility status.

Her Olympic title and her first Asian Games crown, won in Hangzhou, both came ⁠at 57kg. In Japan, Lin moved ‌up to 60kg, and at the Nishio Gymnasium she used her reach and counter-punching to beat China's Yang Chengyu 5-0 for her second Asian Games gold.

- The National

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