Asian Games 2026: India Finish Karate Campaign Without a Medal

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

India ended their karate campaign at the Asian Games 2026 without a medal after Chetan Bhatt narrowly missed out on bronze in the men’s 84kg kumite, while Asian champion Alisha Choudhary was eliminated in the women’s 55kg event.

Chetan Bhatt came closest to securing a medal but lost the bronze-medal bout against Chinese Taipei’s Meng-yu Chung after the contest ended 1-1.

The bout was decided under the Senshu rule, which gives an advantage to the competitor who scores the first uncontested point when the match finishes level.

Both fighters registered one Yuko point, but Chung had scored first without conceding a point, giving the Chinese Taipei athlete the advantage.

Chetan Bhatt Loses Semi-Final

Chetan had received a bye into the semi-finals but was beaten 8-0 by Jordan’s Mohammad Aljafari.

The defeat sent him into the bronze-medal contest, where he faced Chung in a closely fought encounter.

Despite finishing the bout level on points, Chetan could not claim the bronze medal because of the Senshu rule.

Alisha Choudhary Knocked Out

India’s other karate representative, Alisha Choudhary, was eliminated in the round of 16 in the women’s 55kg kumite.

She suffered a 6-1 defeat against Indonesia’s Cok Istri Agung Sanistyarani.

Alisha still had a possible route back into medal contention through the repechage. However, that opportunity ended when Sanistyarani failed to reach the final.

Asian Champion Alisha Arrived as Title Holder

The 22-year-old Indian had entered the Asian Games as the reigning Asian champion in the women’s 55kg kumite category.

She had won the title at the Asian Senior Karate Championships in Bali earlier this year.

India sent only two karate athletes to the Asian Games 2026, with neither managing to secure a place on the podium.

As a result, India’s karate campaign concluded without a medal.