Asian Games 2026: Aryan Thakur Shines in Soft Tennis, Alisha Choudhary Exits Karate

Aryan Thakur of India kicked off his men's singles soft tennis journey at the Asian Games 2026 with a dominant 4-0 victory against Mongolia's Bold-erdene Altangerel. Thakur showcased his skills in Group C, winning with scores of 4-1, 4-1, 4-0, and 4-1. His next match is scheduled against Chen Po-yi from Chinese Taipei on Tuesday afternoon, as reported by ESPN.

In contrast, Alisha Choudhary, the Asian Championship titleholder, faced an early setback in women's karate, losing 1-6 to Indonesia's Cok Istri Agung Sanistyarani in the kumite - 55kg round of 16. The Indonesian athlete quickly gained a lead with five points, including a Yuko and an Ippon, while Choudhary received warnings that resulted in a Senshu point for her opponent. Although she managed to score a Yuko in the final moments, it was not enough to change the outcome.

On Day 3, India's women's table tennis team triumphed over Thailand with a close 3-2 victory in the round of 16, advancing further in the tournament.

In boxing, Sakshi Chaudhary secured her place in the women's 51kg round of 16 with a unanimous 5-0 win against Aira Villegas from the Philippines, a bronze medallist from the Paris Olympics. She will compete next against Kazakhstan's Alua Balkibekova on Thursday.

The men's kabaddi team also celebrated a significant win, defeating South Korea 63-31 in their Group A match.

In shooting, the duo of Elavenil Valarivan and Parth Mane finished fourth in the 10m air rifle mixed team final after qualifying second and reaching the gold medal match.

In swimming, the Indian men's 4x100m medley relay team, consisting of Rishabh Das, Akash Mani, Benediction Beniston, and Dhanush Suresh, secured seventh place in the heats, qualifying for the finals.

In men's singles Group D soft tennis, Jay Meena achieved a 4-0 victory over Pakistan's Hussain Arain, while Aadhya Tiwari lost 1-4 to Thailand's Alisha Ziegler in the women's singles Group D.

Langlentombi Devi Hanjabam placed ninth in the women's Nanquan final in wushu.

Fencers Sachin and Hemash Singh finished fourth in Pool 1 and Pool 5, respectively, in the men's individual foil event.

Aryan Nehra secured fourth place in the men's 1500m freestyle final B, while Chetan Bhatt was defeated in the men's 84kg kumite bronze medal match.

India faced a 0-3 defeat against Malaysia in the men's team Regu Group B sepaktakraw competition.

In equestrian dressage, Ashish Limaye and Willy Be Dun finished in 13th place, while Arjan Nagra and Cooley Goodwood came in 23rd. Fouaad Mirza and Camouflage 38 placed 26th.

On Day 2, India celebrated three medals, with Himanshu Dhillon, Rudrankksh Patil, and Parth Mane earning silver in the men's 10m air rifle team event. Dhillon and Patil later added individual medals, while MMA fighter Suchika Tariyal secured a bronze.