The Sports Authority of India (SAI), Kolkata, felicitated Asian Games 2026 medalists Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, Kirti Sharma and Satnam Singh today recognising their achievements at the continental sporting event held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Compound archer Sahil and recurve archer Kirti were honoured for their gold-medal-winning performances, while rower Satnam Singh was felicitated for securing bronze in the men’s double sculls event.
Their coaches—Haresh Kumar, Udham Singh and Arjuna Awardee Inderpal Singh—were also present at the ceremony. Haresh Kumar coaches Sahil at SAI’s National Centre of Excellence (NCOE), Kolkata, while Udham Singh guides Kirti at SAI’s Sports Training Centre (STC), Hazaribagh. Inderpal Singh, a coach at SAI Jagatpur, mentors Satnam.
Sahil Emphasises Hard Work and Humility:
Expressing gratitude to his coaches and SAI for their support, Sahil highlighted the importance of maintaining humility and dedication after achieving success on the international stage.
“I want to thank my coaches at SAI for their guidance. It is important to stay grounded and continue to work hard after achieving success,” he said.
Sahil emerged as a double gold medallist at the Asian Games, winning titles in the men’s compound team and mixed compound team events. He also secured a quota spot for India in the mixed compound event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, marking an important step in the country’s preparations for the next Summer Olympics.
Satnam Singh Recalls Mental Battle Behind Historic Medal:
Satnam Singh spoke about the challenges he faced before securing India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the men’s double sculls event. He recalled how a last-minute change in his event initially left him uncertain, but he remained determined to deliver his best.
“I was confident of winning a medal in the men’s quadruple sculls. But in the last moment I was told to compete in the double sculls. I was not confident initially, but was determined to give my best,” he said.
Highlighting the significance of the achievement, Satnam added:
“We had never won a medal in that event earlier. Now that me and my partner Salman Khan have removed that phycological barrier, it has opened the road for more medals in the double sculls in the future.”
His bronze-medal-winning performance with partner Salman Khan marked a significant milestone for Indian rowing at the Asian Games.
SAI Praises Athletes and Coaches:
Sibananda Mishra, Regional Director, SAI NCOE, congratulated the athletes and their coaches, describing their performances as a source of national pride.
“The achievements of Sahil Rajesh Jadhav, Kirti Sharma and Satnam Singh are a matter of immense pride for the country. Their performances at the Asian Games 2026 reflect the dedication, perseverance and competitive spirit that define Indian sport. SAI congratulates the athletes and their support teams and wishes them continued success in their future endeavours,” he said.
Kirti was part of the Indian team that won a historic gold medal in the women’s recurve event, further strengthening India’s presence in international archery.
The felicitation recognised not only the athletes’ medal-winning performances but also the contribution of their coaches and the training ecosystem supporting their development.
With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games on the horizon, the achievements of the three medalists underline the importance of sustained training, institutional support and mental resilience in preparing Indian athletes for future international competitions.
Image: SAI
