Asian Games: India's medal tally hits 20; Manush, Diya win mixed doubles TT bronze

Manush Shah and Diya Chitale (File photo)

India's medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya reached twenty on Friday as Manush Shah and Diya Chitale won a historic bronze medal in the mixed doubles table tennis event.The Indian pair lost their semifinal to China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha 8-11, 5-11, 8-11, 2-11, but finished on the podium with a bronze medal.

It is only India's second-ever medal in mixed doubles table tennis at the Asian Games. The first came in Jakarta in 2018, when Sharath Kamal and Manika Batra also won bronze.With the presence of China, Japan and South Korea, winning an Asian Games medal is as tough as it gets.

The partnership between Manush and Diya has grown steadily since they teamed up in October 2023. While it is common for players to switch partners on the WTT Tour because of scheduling, Manush and Diya have continued to play only with each other.The left-handed Manush and right-handed Diya complement each other's styles. Manush relies on his power game from both flanks, while Diya's role is to create opportunities for him to finish points.The medal also comes during a strong phase in Manush's career. He is currently India's highest-ranked men's singles player at World No. 43.After their Asian Games podium finish, Manush and Diya, who are supported by the Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), will now look towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.