3 hrs ago
Hriday Turns Hangzhou Dressage Heartbreak Into Asian Games Motivation
Hriday Chheda is an Indian dressage rider.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games, he was leading the individual competition but was disqualified.
A small scratch on his horse’s leg caused the disqualification under rules designed to protect horses.
Hriday said the moment was very painful.
However, it also showed him that he could compete at a high level.
He now uses that disappointment as motivation to work harder.
He helped India win team gold at the same Games.
In Japan, he hopes to help a new Indian team win another medal at the 2026 Asian Games.
Hriday Chheda was disqualified from the individual final at the Hangzhou Asian Games despite leading the competition.
He said a small scratch on his horse’s leg triggered the disqualification under horse-welfare rules.
Hriday helped India win its first equestrian gold at the Asian Games in 41 years as part of the Hangzhou team.
As the only returning member of that squad, he will compete in Japan with the experienced horse Dono Di Maggio.
He is aiming to help India reach the podium at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games while focusing on performance rather than expectations.
- Who
- Indian dressage athlete Hriday Chheda and the Indian equestrian team.
- What
- Hriday is preparing for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after being disqualified from the Hangzhou individual final while leading.
- Where
- The earlier setback occurred in Hangzhou, and Hriday is preparing in Japan.
- When
- The disqualification occurred at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games; the next Asian Games are scheduled for 2026, with Hriday’s first event in Japan on the 25th.
- Why
- He wants to turn the lost medal opportunity into motivation and help India reach the podium.
Key facts
- Athlete
- Hriday Chheda
- Sport
- Dressage
- Previous team result
- India won equestrian team gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
- Disqualification reason
- A small scratch on Hriday’s horse’s leg, under horse-welfare rules.
- Current horse
- Dono Di Maggio
- Next major target
- The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
- Preparation location
- Japan
Quotes
Hriday Chheda
Indian equestrian and dressage rider discussing his Hangzhou disqualification
“That is obviously a painful spot because that was a lost opportunity. It was a medal that we thought was quite close to us. But this is the sport with horses—it had no fault of mine or the horse. There are rules in our sport that protect the welfare of our horses, and a small scratch on the horse's leg got me disqualified”
thehansindia.com
“Of course, it taught me to be a bit stronger and showed me that it is possible to perform at that level. While it was shattering at that moment, it gave me confidence in the long run. I take the team gold medal we won as a blessing and the medal we lost out on as motivation to work harder to get it this time”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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