Every Asian Games campaign carries its share of heartbreak, and for India in Aichi-Nagoya, a handful of results have stung more than others given the expectations attached to them.
## The Two-X Heartbreak
Few results have hurt more than India’s women’s 10m air pistol team missing bronze by just two inner-10 shots after tying with Vietnam on 1719 points. With Manu Bhaker, Esha Singh and Suruchi Singh all in the lineup, it was a result that felt within reach until the very last shot.
## PV Sindhu’s Team Falls in the Quarters
India’s women’s badminton team, carrying genuine medal ambitions behind two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu, was eliminated in the quarterfinals by hosts Japan. Sindhu’s own match went to three games before Akane Yamaguchi closed it out, a microcosm of a tie that slipped away in tight moments.
## A Missed Opportunity in Mixed Rifle
Elavenil Valarivan, already a double medallist at these Games, and teenager Parth Mane entered the 10m air rifle mixed team final in second place after qualification but finished fourth, extending India’s wait for a shooting gold. The full story of that campaign is covered in our dedicated feature on what went wrong.
## Wushu’s Quarterfinal Exit
Wushu fighter Aryan lost his men’s 56kg Sanda quarterfinal 1-2 to Uzbekistan’s Sayadullo Abdurashitov, a result that stood in contrast to teammate Roshibina Devi’s guaranteed medal in the women’s draw.
## Why These Results Matter More
Disappointment hits hardest when expectation is highest, and each of these results involved athletes or teams considered genuine medal contenders heading into their respective events. For the full list of India’s fourth-place finishes and other missed medals across these Games, see our companion pieces tracking every near-miss in Nagoya.
## Still Time to Respond
With the Games running through October 4, India still has ample opportunity across shooting, wrestling, athletics and more to turn some of these disappointments into redemption stories.