Manpreet Kaur Wins Shot Put Bronze as Krishna Jayasankar Finishes Fifth at Asian Games 2026

Manpreet Kaur secured a bronze medal in the women’s shot put final at the 2026 Asian Games on Friday, September 25, holding on to third place despite a foul on her final attempt.

The Indian produced a best throw of 17.17m, achieved in the fourth round, to consolidate her position on the podium. Her medal was confirmed after her final throw was ruled a foul, as none of the athletes behind her could surpass her mark. It was a composed performance from Manpreet, who had to fight through a closely contested battle for third place during the opening rounds.

China’s Song Jiayuan dominated the competition, while compatriot Zhang Linru remained comfortably in second. The battle for bronze, however, went down to the final throws.

Manpreet began the competition with a throw of 16.32m, leaving her fifth after the opening round. Song immediately established herself as the athlete to beat with a massive 19.08m throw, while Zhang opened with 18.14m. India’s Krishna Jayasankar, competing at her maiden Asian Games, also made a strong start with 16.57m to move into third.

After the opening round, the standings were:

1. Song Jiayuan – 19.08m

2. Zhang Linru – 18.14m

3. Krishna Jayasankar – 16.57m

4. Jeong Yu-sun – 16.52m

5. Manpreet Kaur – 16.32m

Manpreet improved slightly in the second round, recording 16.41m, but remained fifth. Krishna, meanwhile, failed to improve significantly, managing 16.51m with her second attempt. Song continued to strengthen her position at the top, extending her lead with a 19.40m throw.

The competition for third place changed in the third round. Manpreet produced a solid 16.80m, moving from fifth to third and putting herself into the bronze-medal position.

Krishna could not respond, recording only 15.94m with her third attempt. South Korea’s Jeong Yu-sun, however, delivered a season’s best of 16.60m to move into fourth. With the top two positions seemingly secure, the focus shifted entirely to the battle between Manpreet, Jeong and Krishna.

The standings after three rounds were:

• Song Jiayuan – 19.40m

• Zhang Linru – 18.14m

• Manpreet Kaur – 16.80m

• Jeong Yu-sun – 16.60m

• Krishna Jayasankar – 16.57m

With all eight athletes advancing to three more throws, Manpreet had three opportunities to defend her podium position.

The Indian responded with her biggest effort of the competition in the fourth round. Manpreet launched the shot 17.17m, improving her best by 37 centimetres and strengthening her grip on third place. It was the throw she needed at the crucial stage of the competition. With Jeong and Krishna unable to produce a mark that could challenge her position, Manpreet entered the final rounds in control of the bronze-medal spot.

Krishna, meanwhile, recorded 16.16m in the fourth round. The effort was not enough to bring her back into medal contention. The 23-year-old Indian had nevertheless made an impact on her Asian Games debut, reaching the final and remaining among the leading athletes deep into the competition. As the final round arrived, Manpreet remained third. The Indian stepped into the circle for her final attempt knowing that the medal was within reach. However, she faulted with the last throw.

The foul did not change the final outcome. Her 17.17m from the fourth round remained sufficient for third place, securing the bronze medal. Manpreet could celebrate a podium finish after successfully navigating a tight contest for the final medal position. For Krishna, the final attempt also failed to produce the required improvement. She could not break the 15m mark with her last throw and finished fifth in her maiden Asian Games appearance.

China Takes Gold and Silver

Song Jiayuan dominated the women’s shot put final from the opening round. Her 19.40m effort in the second round proved to be the leading mark of the competition.

Zhang Linru's opening throw of 18.14m was enough to keep her in second place. The Chinese pair therefore claimed gold and silver, while Manpreet Kaur completed the podium with India’s bronze. For Indian athletics, Manpreet’s performance adds another podium finish at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and provides a notable result in the women’s field events.

Her fourth-round 17.17m proved decisive and even a foul on the final throw could not take away a bronze medal that she had earned through a strong fight across six rounds.