Asian Games: Nethra Kumanan claims bronze as sailing brings in 3 medals

Nethra Kumanan finally has an Asian Games medal to show for her years of competing at the continental event. The Indian sailor secured bronze in the women’s dinghy competition on Friday, finishing on the podium at her fourth appearance at the Games.

The 29-year-old from Chennai, a two-time Olympian, accumulated 14 points overall. She picked up seven points from the qualification races and another seven across the two finals. Thailand’s Sophia Montgomery took gold with five points, while Singapore’s Jania Ang finished second with 13.

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In sailing, a lower score is better, and competitors earn points based on their finishing position in each race. A race victory earns one point, making consistency crucial across the competition.

Nethra finished sixth in one of the two final races but responded emphatically by winning the other. That performance was enough to secure the bronze, ending a long wait for an Asian Games medal. She had previously competed at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 editions, finishing fourth at two of them.

There was disappointment for India in the men’s event, however, as Vishnu Saravanan narrowly missed out on the podium. The 27-year-old finished second in both final races but his qualification score left him with 21 points overall, putting him fourth.

Saravanan had won bronze at the previous Asian Games and is also an Olympian. This time, Korea’s Jeemin Ha claimed gold with nine points, while Hong Kong, China’s Nicholas Halliday took silver with 11. Malaysia’s Mohd Khairulnizam completed the podium with 14 points.

HARSHITA, SHITAL UPGRADED TO BRONZE

India’s Harshita Tomar and Shital Verma were upgraded to bronze in the women’s skiff race after they had initially fourth in the standings.

The Indian duo were given the third spot after China was disqualified and had their bronze medal stripped off. The Chinese duo were disqualified under rule 30.3 of the sailing rules. It is also known as the U Flag rule.

According to the rule, when the U flag is displayed, a boat must ensure that no part of its hull, crew or equipment enters the triangular area between the starting line and the first mark during the final minute before the starting signal.

If a boat enters this area and is identified, it is disqualified without a hearing. The result is recorded as UFS.

The result follows Manu Francis and Prince Noble’s silver in the men’s skiff race.

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