Asian Games 2026: India Women's Badminton team crashes out as wait for Medal extends

India's wait for an Asian Games badminton medal continues after the women's team suffered a 1-3 defeat to hosts Japan in the quarter-finals of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Tuesday (September 22).

The Indian team had entered the last-eight stage after a convincing 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan in the Round of 16, but faced a much tougher challenge against Japan. Despite a spirited effort, India could not secure the two victories required to advance to the semi-finals and guarantee a medal.

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu began the tie against former world champion Akane Yamaguchi. Sindhu fought hard after taking the opening game but eventually went down 23-21, 18-21, 11-21, handing Japan the early advantage.

Unnati Hooda was unable to level the contest, losing 16-21, 18-21 to Tomoka Miyazaki. Japan were therefore one win away from sealing the tie.

India stayed alive through the doubles combination of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand. The World Championships bronze-winning pair produced a strong performance to defeat Yuki Fukushima and Mayu Matsumoto 21-17, 21-16.

However, Tanvi Sharma could not force a decider. She lost 12-21, 10-21 to Japan's Nozomi Okuhara, allowing the hosts to close out the quarter-final 3-1.

The result also means India's wait for a women's team badminton medal at the Asian Games continues. The country's only medal in the event came in 2014, when the women's team won bronze.

With the women's campaign now over, India's badminton focus shifts to the men's team, who also face Japan in their quarter-final today.

When did India's women's badminton team last win an Asian Games Medal?

India's wait for a medal in the Asian Games women's badminton team event continues after the 1-3 quarter-final defeat to Japan at Aichi-Nagoya 2026. India last stood on the podium in this event at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, where the women's team won a historic bronze medal. Led by players including Saina Nehwal and PV Sindhu, India defeated Thailand 3-2 in the quarter-finals before losing to hosts South Korea in the semi-finals.