Asian Games 2026 Day 3 delivered another major day of action in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with new champions, record-breaking performances and important results across cricket, swimming, shooting, cycling, kabaddi, badminton and other sports.
The biggest Indian headline came from the women's cricket final, where India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to win the country's first gold medal of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Smriti Mandhana scored 79 and became the first woman batter to reach 11,000 international runs.
Japan also celebrated a major home success as 17-year-old Yumeki Kojima won the men's 400m individual medley in a Games-record time of 4:07.02, while China continued its strong medal run with multiple record-setting performances.
Asian Games 2026 Day 3 — Quick Facts
- Date: September 22, 2026
- Location: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- Main headline: India wins women's cricket gold
- India's medal tally: 7 medals — 1 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze
- Medal table leader: China
- Japan's Day 3 star: Yumeki Kojima
- Major record: China wins 10m air rifle mixed team with a world-record score
Asian Games 2026 Day 3: Biggest Stories
Day 3 of full competition brought some of the most memorable moments of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games so far. China remained at the top of the medal table, Japan continued to collect medals on home soil and India finally opened its gold-medal account.
Here are the biggest confirmed stories and results from September 22.
1. India Wins First Gold Medal in Women's Cricket
India women defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women's T20 cricket final at Korogi Sports Park to win the gold medal.
India scored 216/3 after choosing to bat first. Smriti Mandhana led the innings with 79 runs from 45 balls, while Shafali Verma scored 48. Richa Ghosh added an unbeaten 49 from only 22 balls.
Sri Lanka were then bowled out for just 69 runs in under 16 overs.
The result gave India its first gold medal of the 2026 Asian Games. Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 31 runs to claim the bronze medal.
2. Smriti Mandhana Reaches 11,000 International Runs
Smriti Mandhana produced one of the individual highlights of Day 3.
Her 79-run innings helped India post 216/3, but the performance also brought a historic milestone: Mandhana became the first woman batter to reach 11,000 international runs.
Her opening partnership with Shafali Verma produced 99 runs and gave India a dominant start in the gold-medal final.
3. Yumeki Kojima Sets Asian Games Record for Japan
Japan's Yumeki Kojima became one of the biggest individual stories of Day 3.
The 17-year-old swimmer won the men's 400m individual medley gold medal at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in a Games-record time of 4:07.02.
Kojima also improved his own world junior record. His performance broke the 12-year-old Asian Games record previously held by Japanese swimming star Kosuke Hagino.
4. China Sets World Record in 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team
China added another major record in shooting.
Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei won the 10m air rifle mixed team gold medal with a world-record score of 507.1.
For Sheng, the victory was his third gold medal of the Games. The Olympic champion had already won the men's individual and men's team 10m air rifle titles.
5. Peng Xuwei Breaks Asian Record in 200m Backstroke
China's swimming success continued with Peng Xuwei, who won the women's 200m backstroke.
Peng stopped the clock at 2:05.77, setting a new Asian record and improving the previous mark of 2:06.46.
China's teenage swimming star Yu Zidi also remained one of the major names of the Games after winning two individual gold medals earlier in the competition.
6. China Continues to Lead the Medal Table
China finished Day 3 at the top of the Asian Games medal standings.
According to the latest Day 3 medal table published after the day's official competition, China had 53 medals, including 32 gold, 13 silver and 8 bronze.
Japan was second with 46 medals, while the Republic of Korea was third with 27 medals.
Asian Games 2026 Medal Table After Day 3
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 32 | 13 | 8 | 53 |
| 2 | Japan | 11 | 16 | 19 | 46 |
| 3 | Republic of Korea | 6 | 4 | 17 | 27 |
| 4 | Kazakhstan | 6 | 1 | 5 | 12 |
| 5 | Thailand | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 6 | Hong Kong, China | 3 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
| 7 | Tajikistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 8 | India | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| 9 | Uzbekistan | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6 |
| 10 | Chinese Taipei | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
Medal standings are updated as official results are confirmed. The table above reflects the latest published Day 3 standings.
🏅 Want to See the Complete Medal Table?
Check the full Asian Games 2026 medal standings, including all countries, gold, silver, bronze and total medals. The table is updated as official results are confirmed.
View Full Medal Table →7. India Beats South Korea 63–31 in Men's Kabaddi
India's men's kabaddi team continued its unbeaten start with a 63–31 victory over South Korea in Group A.
The defending champions led 34–14 at halftime and maintained control throughout the second half to secure their second consecutive win.
India had opened its campaign with a 49–24 victory over Japan.
8. India Women's Badminton Team Eliminated by Japan
India's women's badminton team exited the Asian Games after a 3–1 quarter-final defeat to Japan.
PV Sindhu lost her opening singles match against Akane Yamaguchi, while Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand gave India hope by winning the third rubber against Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto.
Japan eventually closed out the tie to advance.
9. Afghanistan Wins Historic Women's Cycling Silver
Fariba Hashimi won silver in the women's road race, giving Afghanistan a historic medal in the event.
China's Guo Li won gold, while Hong Kong's Chloe Leung Wing-yee took bronze.
The 90.4-kilometre race was held on the Shinshiro Cycling Road Course.
10. Pakistan Takes Bronze in Women's Cricket
Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 31 runs to win the bronze medal in the women's T20 cricket competition.
The result completed the women's cricket podium with India taking gold and Sri Lanka winning silver.
Asian Games 2026 Day 3 — Key Results
| Sport | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket | Women's T20 Final | India beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs — Gold for India |
| Cricket | Women's T20 Bronze Match | Pakistan beat Bangladesh by 31 runs |
| Kabaddi | Men's Group A | India 63–31 South Korea |
| Badminton | Women's Team Quarter-final | Japan 3–1 India |
| Swimming | Men's 400m Individual Medley | Yumeki Kojima — Gold, Games Record 4:07.02 |
| Swimming | Women's 200m Backstroke | Peng Xuwei — Gold, Asian Record 2:05.77 |
| Shooting | 10m Air Rifle Mixed Team | China — Gold, World Record 507.1 |
| Cycling | Women's Road Race | Gold: Guo Li | Silver: Fariba Hashimi | Bronze: Chloe Leung |
Day 3 Athlete Spotlight
| Athlete | Country | Sport | Day 3 Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smriti Mandhana | India | Cricket | 79 runs and 11,000 international runs milestone |
| Yumeki Kojima | Japan | Swimming | 400m individual medley gold and Games record |
| Sheng Lihao | China | Shooting | Third gold medal of the Games |
| Peng Xuwei | China | Swimming | 200m backstroke gold with Asian record |
| Fariba Hashimi | Afghanistan | Cycling | Women's road race silver |
Asian Games 2026 Day 3 — Memorable Moments
- India's first gold: The women's cricket team finally opened India's gold-medal account.
- Mandhana milestone: Smriti Mandhana became the first woman batter to reach 11,000 international runs.
- Kojima's record swim: Japan's 17-year-old swimmer broke the Asian Games record in the 400m individual medley.
- China's shooting record: Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei combined for a world-record 507.1.
- Afghanistan's cycling success: Fariba Hashimi claimed silver in the women's road race.
India at Asian Games 2026 — Day 3 Summary
India ended Day 3 with 7 medals: 1 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze.
The gold came from the women's cricket team, while India's earlier medals included five from shooting and a bronze in traditional MMA.
India also recorded a strong men's kabaddi victory over South Korea, while the women's badminton team was eliminated in the quarter-finals by Japan.
China at Asian Games 2026 — Day 3 Summary
China remained the leading nation in the medal standings with 53 medals, including 32 golds after the third official day.
Swimming, shooting and cycling were among the sports producing major Chinese results. Yumeki Kojima's Japanese record-setting swim and China's record-breaking shooting performance were two of the day's biggest technical highlights.
Japan at Asian Games 2026 — Day 3 Summary
Host nation Japan finished Day 3 with 46 medals, including 11 gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze.
Yumeki Kojima's men's 400m individual medley victory was one of the standout Japanese performances of the day, with his 4:07.02 establishing a new Asian Games record.
How to Watch Asian Games 2026
For Viewers in India
In India, the Asian Games 2026 are being broadcast on Sony Sports Network and streamed on SonyLIV. Coverage includes cricket and the other major Asian Games sports.
For Viewers in Japan
In Japan, TBS is an official broadcaster of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, with coverage across its television and digital platforms. TBS has also announced live coverage and digital distribution for the Games.
Asian Games 2026 Day 3 Schedule & Results
Day 3 featured medal events and major matches across swimming, shooting, cycling, cricket, kabaddi, badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, fencing, karate and other sports.
The official Aichi-Nagoya 2026 schedule lists competition throughout September 22, including swimming finals, fencing finals, badminton men's team quarter-finals, table tennis knockout matches, karate finals and other medal events.
Asian Games 2026 Day 3 FAQ
Who won India's first gold medal at the Asian Games 2026?
India's women's cricket team won the country's first gold medal by defeating Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the women's T20 final.
How many medals did India have after Day 3?
India had 7 medals: 1 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze.
Who was the standout Japanese athlete on Day 3?
Yumeki Kojima won the men's 400m individual medley gold medal in a Games-record time of 4:07.02.
Which country led the medal table after Day 3?
China led the medal standings with 53 medals, including 32 gold, 13 silver and 8 bronze.
Who won the women's cricket gold medal?
India defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to win the women's T20 cricket gold medal.
What record did Smriti Mandhana achieve?
Mandhana became the first woman batter to reach 11,000 international runs during India's gold-medal victory.
Who won the 10m air rifle mixed team gold?
China's Sheng Lihao and Wang Zifei won the gold medal with a world-record score of 507.1.
Follow Asian Games 2026
Follow the latest Asian Games 2026 schedules, match times, results, medal standings, highlights and where to watch information from Aichi-Nagoya.
Sources & Official Information
- Aichi-Nagoya 2026 official website — competition schedule, official Games information and daily updates.
- Olympics.com — Asian Games 2026 live results and India updates.
- Reuters — Day 3 coverage, cricket, swimming, shooting and cycling results.
- PTI / Rediff — Day 3 medal standings.
Last updated: September 22, 2026
Medal standings and results can change as official results are confirmed or corrected by the competition organizers.
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