Top five Indians at Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games

Ojas Pravin Deotale of India (centre) bagged three gold medals at the 2023 Asian Games. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

India’s record-breaking 107-medal campaign at the Hangzhou Asian Games was built on exceptional performances in shooting, archery, and athletics. Ranked by gold medals and then overall medal haul, these were India’s five leading individual medal-winners.

1. Jyothi Surekha Vennam (Archery)

Hangzhou medals: Three gold

Jyothi swept every compound event she entered. She won the women’s individual title after beating South Korea’s So Chaewon 149-145 in the final. She also helped India win the women’s team gold alongside Aditi Gopichand Swami and Parneet Kaur, before combining with Ojas Deotale for the mixed team title.

Returning in 2026 Asian Games: Yes. Jyothi has been selected for the compound archery events and will make her fourth successive Asian Games appearance in Japan.

2. Ojas Deotale (Archery)

Hangzhou medals: Three gold

Ojas matched Jyothi’s perfect return with gold in the men’s individual, men’s team, and mixed team compound events. He defeated compatriot Abhishek Verma 149-147 in the individual final. His Hangzhou treble came shortly after he became the first Indian male archer to win an individual world title.

Returning in 2026 Asian Games: No. Ojas failed to finish in the top three in the compound selection trials and was left out of the Asian Games squad.

3. Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar (Shooting)

Hangzhou medals: Two gold, one silver, one bronze

Aishwary was India’s joint-most successful athlete by total medals. He won team gold in the men’s 10m air rifle and 50m rifle 3-positions events, silver in the individual 50m rifle 3-positions, and bronze in the individual 10m air rifle.

Returning in 2026 Asian Games: Yes. Aishwary is part of India’s 30-member shooting squad for Aichi-Nagoya.

4. Esha Singh (Shooting)

Hangzhou medals: One gold, three silver

Esha won the women’s 25m pistol team gold. She also claimed silver medals in the individual and team 10m air pistol competitions, ending her campaign with four medals.

Returning in 2026 Asian Games: Yes. Esha is included in India’s shooting contingent and will compete in her second Asian Games.

5. Parul Chaudhary (Athletics)

Hangzhou medals: One gold, one silver

Parul produced a memorable double in the distance events. She won silver in the women’s 3000m steeplechase before claiming a dramatic 5000m gold. Trailing Japan’s Ririka Hironaka entering the home straight, Parul surged past her in the closing metres and won in 15:14.75. She became the first Indian woman to win the Asian Games 5000m title.

Returning in 2026 Asian Games: Yes. Parul has been named in India’s athletics squad for Aichi-Nagoya and is listed for the 1500m, 5000m and 3000m steeplechase.