Manpreet Kaur won the bronze medal in the women’s shot put at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday, becoming only the third Indian woman to win a medal in the event at the Asiad.
The 36-year-old finished with a best throw of 17.17m. China’s Song Jiayuan won the gold medal, while her compatriot Zhang Linru took silver.
Manpreet has now joined an exclusive list of Indian women who have won an Asian Games shot put medal. Barbara Webster won bronze in 1951, while Kiran Baliyan also claimed bronze at the 2023 Asian Games.
Manpreet Finds Her Rhythm
Manpreet did not have the best start to the competition. Her opening throw measured 16.32m, but she gradually found her rhythm and improved her distance with every attempt.
She finally crossed the 17m mark with her fourth throw, recording 17.17m. That effort helped her move firmly into medal position.
China’s Song was in control from the beginning. She produced a Season’s Best throw of 19.40m with her second attempt and stayed at the top until the end.
The victory also continued China’s long-standing dominance in the event. The country has now won the women’s shot put gold at the Asian Games for the 13th consecutive edition.
India’s other competitor, Krishna Jayasankar Menon, finished fifth with a best throw of 16.57m.
Manpreet’s Major Achievements
* 2026 Asian Games: Bronze – Women’s Shot Put
* 2026 Commonwealth Games: Fourth – Women’s Shot Put
* 2023 Asian Athletics Championships: Bronze – Women’s Shot Put
* 2023 Asian Games: Fifth – Women’s Shot Put
* 2016 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships: Sixth – Women’s Shot Put