CHANDIGARH: India is off to a golden start at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, and athletes from Chandigarh University (CU) are leading the charge.
Out of the four gold medals India has secured so far at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, an impressive three belong to CU student-athletes. From dominating the kabaddi mat to hitting the bullseye in the shooting range, these rising stars are at the heart of the nation’s sporting success.
Table of Contents
Key Highlights of India's Golden Run:
- Total Indian Golds So Far: 4
- Golds Won by CU Athletes: 3
- Winning Sports: Women’s Kabaddi, Men’s Kabaddi, and 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team.
Pushpa Rana Captains Women’s Kabaddi Team to Gold
The kabaddi arena has proven to be a massive hunting ground for Indian gold. Chandigarh University student Pushpa Rana captained the Indian Women’s Kabaddi team in a hard-fought, thrilling final.
Under her leadership, the squad defeated a formidable Iranian side 37–34, successfully defending India’s Asian Games title in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Men’s Kabaddi Team Completes the Golden Double
Not to be outdone, the Indian Men’s Kabaddi team successfully retained their Asian Games crown after defeating Iran 39–35 in a nail-biting showdown.
The gold-winning men’s squad featured three prominent CU athletes:
- Pawan Sehrawat (Vice-Captain)
- Aslam Inamdar
- Ashu Malik
With four students spread across both squads, Chandigarh University achieved the rare distinction of anchoring both of India’s kabaddi triumphs at the Games.
Suruchi Singh Shoots for Gold in 10m Air Pistol
Beyond the kabaddi mat, CU athletes are making waves in precision sports. Suruchi Singh showcased immense focus under pressure, securing a spectacular gold medal in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event. Her victory provided India with a crucial early boost in the overall medal tally.
A Growing Legacy of Sporting Excellence
This year, a robust 24-member contingent from Chandigarh University is representing India across 12 different sports, highlighting the institution's massive footprint on international athletics.
Satnam Singh Sandhu, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and Chancellor of Chandigarh University, expressed his joy over the historic achievement.
"It is an incredibly proud moment for all of us that Chandigarh University athletes have won 3 out of the 4 gold medals India has secured so far. This reflects the hard work of our students and the strong sporting ecosystem we have built," Sandhu shared.
This global success is a natural progression of the university's domestic dominance. CU recently made history by becoming the first university to win the prestigious Khelo India University Games title for two consecutive years. Prior to that, it became the country's first private university to lift the highly coveted Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy.
