Asian Games: Nethra Kumanan ends long wait for maiden sailing medal with bronze

Nethra Kumanan (ANI Photo)

NEW DELHI: India's Nethra Kumanan finally broke her Asian Games medal jinx on Friday, clinching bronze in the women's dinghy event at the Aichi-Nagoya Games to secure her first medal at the continental showpiece in her fourth appearance.The 29-year-old Chennai sailor, a two-time Olympian, finished third with 14 points overall — seven from the qualification races and seven from the final — behind Thailand's Sophia Montgomery, who won gold with five points, and Singapore's Jania Ang, who took silver with 13.

In sailing, lower scores are better, with competitors awarded points corresponding to their finishing position in each race. The sailor with the lowest aggregate score wins the regatta.Nethra had entered the final day with the medal within reach and delivered when it mattered. She finished sixth in one of the two final races before winning the other to strengthen her position on the podium.Asian Games Full Coverage | Medal Tally | Schedule

Fourth time lucky for Nethra

The bronze was particularly significant for Nethra, who had endured heartbreak at previous editions of the Asian Games.She had competed at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions but narrowly missed out on a medal twice, finishing fourth on both occasions.

Her persistence finally paid off in Aichi-Nagoya as she converted another strong campaign into a podium finish.Nethra's medal also added to India's growing sailing haul at the Games.India had already secured two sailing medals before Friday's competition. Manu Francis and Prince Noble won silver in the men's skiff event on Thursday, while Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma claimed bronze in the women's skiff competition.

The women's skiff medal came after India initially finished fourth, with the position upgraded following China's disqualification.

Vishnu misses out despite strong finish

There was disappointment for India's Vishnu Saravanan in the men's dinghy event as the Olympian finished fourth.Saravanan ended his final two races strongly, finishing second in both, but an accumulated qualification score of 17 left him with 21 points overall and outside the medal positions.South Korea's Jeemin Ha won gold with nine points, Hong Kong China's Nicholas Halliday took silver with 11, while Malaysia's Mohd Khairulnizam finished third with 14.Saravanan had won bronze at the previous Asian Games.