Nagoya: India’s third-ever Asian Games medal in Kurash was guaranteed on Monday as Pincky Balhara secured a spot in the women’s 78 kg semi-finals at the ongoing 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Pincky defeated South Korea’s Lim Garam 3-0 in the women’s 78 kg quarter-final to seal a podium finish for the nation, according to ESPN.

Balhara, who claimed a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, was eliminated in the quarter-finals at the 2022 edition in Hangzhou. Her latest victory ensures another Asian Games medal for India in the discipline.

Earlier in the day, India’s Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru edged compatriot Sahil Jadhav 149-148 in a closely fought men’s compound archery individual round of 16 match at the Asian Games on Monday to advance to the quarter-finals.

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The all-Indian clash went down to the wire, with both archers displaying remarkable accuracy before Ganesh claimed a narrow advantage in the closing end, according to ESPN.

Ganesh, who had previously defeated Indonesia’s Sostar Andaru Rinaldi 144-142 in the round of 32, held his nerve to overcome Jadhav and progress to the last eight.

He will take on Chen Chieh-lun of Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals on 1 October.

Jadhav had also started his individual campaign strongly, defeating Mongolia’s Jamiyangombo Purevdorj 149-137 in the round of 32 before his run was halted by his teammate.

The result leaves Ganesh as the sole Indian archer remaining in the men’s individual compound draw.

India’s archery contingent had already produced impressive team performances at the Games, with all five Indian teams in action on Sunday advancing to the semi-finals.

The men’s and women’s recurve teams, along with the recurve mixed team, reached the last four, while the men’s and women’s compound teams also clinched semi-final spots.

The compound individual competition will resume with the quarter-finals on 1 October.

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Elsewhere on Day 9, India’s Sivaraj Babu exited the men’s shortboard surfing competition following a 7.83-11.50 defeat to the Philippines’ Alciso Jayuard in Round 3.

India’s men’s cricket team is also featuring on Monday, facing Afghanistan in the Asian Games quarter-finals. The defending champions gained direct entry into the knockout phase and are seeking to retain the gold medal won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

A number of Indian athletes are competing in medal events on Day 9, including Avinash Sable in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Murali Sreeshankar in the men’s long jump, Yash Vir Singh and Rohit Yadav in the men’s javelin throw, and Gulveer Singh in the men’s 1500m.

In boxing, Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain meets the Republic of Korea’s Seong Suyeon in the women’s 75kg quarter-final, while Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh, and Rahi Sarnobat are competing in the women’s 25m pistol qualification in shooting.

ANI