Neeru Dhanda to lead India at Asian Games closing ceremony

The Cliff News | 2 October 2026

Indian trap shooter Neeru Dhanda will have the honour of carrying the national flag for India at the Asian Games 2026 closing ceremony. The decision comes after Dhanda’s stellar performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, where she secured three medals: two gold and one silver.

Dhanda's achievements include a historic individual gold medal in the women's trap event, marking her as the first Indian to achieve this feat at the 2026 Asian Games. She also contributed to the silver medal in the women's trap team event and clinched another gold in the mixed trap team event, showcasing her dominance in the discipline.

Wrestling Gold and Bronze Bouts

In wrestling, Sujeet Kalkal delivered a remarkable comeback performance to clinch the 65kg freestyle gold medal. Kalkal overturned a significant 9-2 deficit against Tajikistan's world medallist Abdulmazhid Kudiev, ultimately winning the final bout 10-9 with a last-second takedown. This victory positions Kalkal as the third Indian to win the men's 65kg freestyle gold at the Asian Games, following in the footsteps of Olympic medallists Yogeshwar Dutt and Bajrang Punia.

Meanwhile, wrestler Dipanshi narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in the women's 50kg category. She lost her bronze medal bout to Kazakhstan's Zeinep Bayanova by fall, with a score of 11-4. Dipanshi had earned her place in the bronze medal match via the repechage rounds after an earlier loss in the opening round.

Hockey Final Drama

The women's hockey final saw India take a narrow 1-0 lead into half-time against China. The crucial goal was scored in the first quarter by Lalremsiami Hmarzote, who executed a brilliant reverse-hit strike. India is aiming to end a 44-year wait for an Asian Games hockey gold, with their last victory dating back to 1982.

China intensified their pressure in the second quarter, earning a penalty stroke. However, Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia made a crucial save to deny China an equalizer, preserving India's slender lead. The match's starting time had been previously delayed, with the final set to commence around 4:30 PM.

Boxing Secures Multiple Golds

India's boxing contingent also celebrated success, with Ankush Panghal winning the gold medal in the men's 80kg category. Panghal defeated South Korea's Kim Minseong 4-0 in the final, showcasing sharp counter-punching and footwork to secure the victory. This gold medal marked India's third in boxing and sixth medal overall in the sport at the Games, following earlier victories by Lovlina Borgohain and Parveen Hooda.

This achievement signifies a historic moment for Indian boxing, as it marks the first time the country has secured three boxing gold medals at a single edition of the Asian Games.

Cricket Anticipation for Gold Medal Match

The Indian men's cricket team is on the cusp of adding an Asian Games gold medal to the country's tally. Batting coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar expressed his thoughts on the significance of securing this medal. India is set to face arch-rivals Pakistan in the men's gold medal match tomorrow, adding an extra layer of intensity to the encounter.