Ashish Tani Purti was star in India’s 4-1 win over Japan in the final. He scored a hat-trick.

The Indian men’s hockey team were crowned champions at the Men’s U-18 Asia Cup 2026 by defeating hosts Japan 4-1 in Kakamigahara, Japan.

Ashish Tani Purti was star in India’s 4-1 victory as he scored hat-trick (2′, 28′, 34′). Indian skipper Ketan Kushwaha (30′) scored the fourth goal. Numada Gaku (52′) scored Japan’s lone goal.

Hockey India announced a cash award of Rs 3 lakh for each player of the gold medal-winning national team. Members of the support staff will also be awarded a cash award of Rs 1.5 lakh. Hockey India also announced a cash award of Rs one lakh for each player of the Indian U-18 women’s hockey team that won the bronze medal.

The support staff associated with the women’s team will be awarded Rs 50,000 for each.

Ashish Tani Purti was awarded the Player of the Match award for his stellar performance in the final. He was top scorer of the tournament with an impressive 13 goals.

India’s goalkeeper Ayush Rajak was named the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament. In the women’s competition, India’s Nausheen Naz emerged as the top scorer with 12 goals.

EOM