Asian Games 2026: Manu Francis and Prince Noble Win Silver in Men’s Skiff, India’s First Sailing Medal

Prince Noble and Manu Francis have won the silver medal in the men's skiff event at the Asian Games 2026. The pair faced a tough challenge before the final race but came back to add another medal to India's tally. Finishing second, they have secured the silver. India's medal count now stands at 62, made up of 10 gold, 22 silver and 30 bronze.

India's First Sailing Medal at the Games

The Indian pair finished second behind China after completing nine races with 23 points, while Hong Kong won the bronze. Manu and Prince were consistent throughout and also won one of the nine races on their way to silver.

This is India's first sailing medal at the ongoing Asian Games. It takes India's overall tally in the sport to 24 medals: one gold, nine silver and 14 bronze. India's first sailing gold at the Asian Games came at the 1982 New Delhi edition, when Farokh Tarapore and Zarir Karanjia finished on top of the podium.

Manu and Prince Are Childhood Friends

A statement issued by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said both sailors are from Kerala. They are relatives and childhood friends. They began sailing at the grassroots level before training at the National Sailing School in Bhopal and the Muziris Yachting Club. After joining the Indian Army, they continued their development through the Army Yachting Node.

The pair won bronze at the 2022 Asian Sailing Championship in Abu Dhabi and the 2023 Asian Sailing Championship in Pattaya. In January this year, they finished first in the Yachting Association of India's Asian Games Selection Trial-II in Mumbai.

Nitesh Siwach Reaches Final

On Thursday, Nitesh Siwach reached the final of the men's Greco-Roman 97kg category with a 9-0 win over Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbatar. Nitesh, a silver medallist at the Asian Championships earlier this year, will now fight for gold against the winner of the semi-final between Iran's Mehdi Balihamzehdeh and Japan's Yuri Nakazato.

Meanwhile, Mansi lost 0-6 to Japan's two-time world champion Nonoka Ozaki in the women's 62kg semi-final. She will now compete for bronze.