Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble Win Silver Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Men’s Skiff

Indian sailors Manu Francis, 31, and Prince Kurisinkal Noble, 30, have etched their names in the annals of sporting history, clinching a remarkable silver medal in the Men's Skiff event at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The duo showcased an exceptional blend of skill and teamwork on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Kaiyoh Yacht Harbor in Gamagori City, delivering a performance that has brought immense pride to the nation. Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, Velavan Senthilkumar and Suraj Chand Win Bronze Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Men’s Squash Team.

Francis and Noble's journey to the podium culminated in a thrilling nine-race series where they amassed a formidable 23 net points. They displayed immense grit, navigating a challenging field to secure India's silver in this premier sailing discipline. The gold medal in the event was claimed by China's Liu Tian and Wen Zaiding, who finished with an impressive 16 net points, while Akira Luke Sakai and Russell Williams Aylsworth of Hong Kong China secured the bronze with 24 net points.

The Competition

The Men's Skiff competition was a spectacle of endurance and technique, with teams battling not only their competitors but also the demanding conditions over nine races. Sailing follows a low-point scoring system, where the race winner receives one point, the second-placed boat two, and so on, with the lowest overall net score winning the regatta.

The Indian pair demonstrated consistent performance, winning Race 3 and securing second-place finishes in Races 1, 5, and 9. Their accumulated 29 points across the nine races were reduced to a net score of 23 after their sixth-place finish in Race 8 was discarded, as per competition rules. The event took place at the internationally recognized Kaiyoh Yacht Harbor, renowned for its excellent facilities.

Manu Francis and Prince Noble's Journey

This silver medal is a culmination of years of rigorous training and dedication for Francis and Noble, who are childhood friends hailing from Kochi. Their international experience includes a creditable bronze-place finish in the 49er class at the 2023 Asian Sailing Championships in Pattaya, where they also competed against the Chinese gold medalists. This Asian Games medal marks India's first Asian Games silver in the Men's Skiff event, signaling their potential on the continental stage and a testament to their unwavering commitment and the strategic support for Indian sailing. Nitesh Siwach Wins Silver Medal at Asian Games 2026 in Men’s Greco-Roman 97kg Wrestling.

Impact on Indian Sailing

This silver medal is a significant boost for Indian sailing, highlighting the growing prowess of the nation's athletes in water sports. Francis and Noble's achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of sailors and further strengthen India's position in the Asian sporting landscape. The focus now shifts to continued development and aiming for even greater glories in future international competitions.

Manu Francis and Prince Kurisinkal Noble's remarkable performance in the Men's Skiff will undoubtedly be remembered as one of India's shining moments at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, adding a valuable silver to the nation's medal tally and setting a high benchmark for future aspirations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2026 09:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).