NAGOYA, Japan: India beat arch-rivals Pakistan to win Asian Games gold on Saturday in a blockbuster cricket final as South Korea's Tom Kim clinched the men's golf crown — and will avoid military service.
On the final full day of action in Aichi-Nagoya, gold medals were up for grabs in sports including cricket, golf, tennis, football, hockey and rugby sevens.
All eyes were on a converted baseball field hosting world-class cricket and a bitter rivalry that goes beyond sport where India won by 19 runs following a pulsating clash in front of a small but raucous crowd.
World T20 champions India posted 211-6 in their 20 overs with Abhishek Sharma scoring 61 and Tilak Varma 51 not out, before Hasan Nawaz's valiant 96 saw Pakistan come up just short at 192-6.
Afterwards, the jubilant India players paraded their national flag around the modest 2,500-capacity Korogi Athletic Park Stadium.
"Obviously it was a lovely game of cricket," said India's Washington Sundar after helping his country retain their crown.
"It's fabulous to actually win gold."
After India recorded the highest score of the tournament, Pakistan were always facing an uphill battle.
Hasan fought to the death as they went in search of their record chase, the batsman falling off the last ball attempting one more big shot.
INDIA CLINCH HOCKEY GOLD
India also clinched gold in men's hockey, thrashing Malaysia 5-1.
India successfully defended their title at the final at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium to secure their fifth Asian Games gold medal in men’s hockey. The victory also earned India an automatic qualification place for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the scoring with two goals, in the 11th and 57th minutes. Jugraj Singh (23rd), Hardik Singh (42nd) and Shilanand Lakra (54th) scored India's other goals, while Shello Silverius equalised for Malaysia in the 14th minute.
MORE THAN GOLD FOR KIM
Kim shot a sparkling final-round six-under 64 to win golf gold.
He let out a roar of "Come on!" as he tapped in for par at the last and celebrated a three-stroke victory after a superb round containing five birdies and an eagle.
He was mobbed by his teammates as they draped him in the South Korean flag and doused him in water.
"It's a crazy feeling," said the world number 32, who dashed across 14 time zones to play in the Asian Games after the Presidents Cup.
"I'm just glad it's over. This day was the longest day I think I've ever had in my life."
Kim knew there was more at stake than just a gold medal.
Able-bodied South Korean men are usually required to perform between 18 months and two years of military service before the age of 28.
But the Seoul government rewards Asian Games gold medals and Olympic medals of any colour with an exemption, meaning they will carry out just four weeks of light basic training instead.
It enables the 24-year-old Kim to keep his blossoming career on track, having already claimed an Asian Tour order of merit crown and four PGA Tour titles.
Also gaining exemption will be South Korea's footballers after they beat the hosts Japan 1-0 in the men's final.
'GLAD TO BE ALIVE'
Coleman Wong was eagerly checking his phone for a message from Rafael Nadal after the Hong Kong player won tennis gold, and with it a place at the Olympics.
Wong beat China's Wu Yibing 6-2, 6-4 in the men's singles final.
Now 22, Wong trained as a youngster at the Rafa Nadal Academy, and the Spanish great keeps abreast of how Wong is progressing.
Asked whether he had heard from Nadal following his golden triumph, Wong said: "I haven't checked my messages. I don't know. Let's see."
Hong Kong's men's rugby sevens team romped to a third consecutive gold with a dominant display in a 26-0 victory over China.
Japan cycling queen Yumi Kajihara broke down after her latest gold as she dedicated victory to her brother who died of cancer this year, saying: "He's here with me."
Kajihara claimed her third consecutive omnium gold and dissolved into tears as she talked about how her younger brother Hyogo had helped her cope with some dark moments.
"It made me realise I needed to be grateful simply to be alive," she said.
CHINA TOP MEDALS, INDIA RISE TO FOURTH
China topped the medal standings with 168 gold, 89 silver and 83 bronze for a total of 340 medals, followed by Japan (83, 93, 91 — 267). The home athletes will finish with a national record haul, smashing their previous best (218) at Hiroshima 1994.
South Korea (38, 43, 68 — 149) came third while India who were eighth two days before rose to fourth spot with 85 medals — 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. Uzbekistan (21,25, 24 —70) also finished with 21 gold, but India were placed ahead by virtue of having more silver medals.
India enjoyed a strong finish on the final day, adding gold medals in wrestling, men’s cricket and men’s hockey, while also collecting medals in archery, golf and wrestling.
India's 85-medal haul was its second-highest total at an Asian Games, behind the 106 medals won at Hangzhou in 2023.
The gold rush began with Kumkum Anil Mohod winning the women’s individual recurve archery title. Pranavi Urs then claimed gold in the women’s individual golf event, becoming the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games golf gold.
In wrestling, Aman Sehrawat won the men’s 57kg gold, while Antim Panghal took silver and Deepak Punia secured bronze.
The other medals on the final day came in archery and golf, with Neeraj Chauhan winning bronze in men’s individual recurve, while Pranavi Urs, Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar earned silver in the women’s team golf event.
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