Asian Games 2026: Kurash player Pincky Balhara signs off with bronze
Indian athlete Pincky Balhara secured a bronze medal in Kurash at the 2026 Asian Games. Despite suffering a knee injury during the quarterfinals, she managed to earn her second career medal in the sport.
Why it matters
This achievement marks a historic milestone for Indian Kurash, highlighting the growing presence of traditional Central Asian martial arts in international multi-sport events.
Pincky Balhara became the first Indian to win two medals in Kurash at the Asian Games after clinching a bronze on Monday (September 28, 2026) following a 0-5 defeat against South Korea’s Sumin Mo in the semifinals of the women’s 78kg event.
Delhi girl Balhara copped a Dakki (penalty) during the bout while Mo earned ‘Yonbosh’ point.
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It is Balhara’s second Asian Games medal, having won a silver in the women’s 52kg category at the Jakarta Games in 2018 when this sports discipline made its debut at the continental showpiece.
Malaprabha Jadhav also won a bronze in 2018 Asian Games.
Earlier, Balhara prevailed 3-0 over Garam Lim in the quarterfinals. The 27-year-old Indian produced the decisive score through a ‘Chala’, while Lim could not register a point across the bout.
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