India beats China for Asian Games hockey gold and Olympic berth

India defeated China 1-0 in the women’s hockey final at the 2026 Asian Games, ending a 44-year wait for the title and securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The victory was India’s first Asian Games women’s hockey gold since 1982. Lalremsiami scored in the 10th minute to give India the lead. The team held on through sustained Chinese pressure to preserve its one-goal advantage. Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said goalkeeper Savita Punia made a crucial penalty-stroke save during the final, helping India retain the lead. The result brought both a long-awaited continental title and an Olympic berth. India last won the women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games in New Delhi in 1982. The team’s direct qualification means it will not need to earn its place at the Los Angeles Games through another qualifying route. Reward announcements followed the win, with different amounts attributed to Hockey India officials and channels. Tirkey announced Rs 10 lakh for each player and Rs 5 lakh for each support-staff member. Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath and the federation’s official social-media account announced Rs 11 lakh per player and Rs 5.