Panaji: Goan siblings Dayne and Katya Coelho have taken a major step towards booking a place at the Asian Games later this year.The sailing duo won the Asian Games Selection Trials conducted in Mumbai under the criteria laid down by the Yachting Association of India (YAI). Dayne and Katya delivered commanding performance at Sail India 2026, clinching gold medals in the men’s and women’s iQFOiL categories, competing against the nation’s finest sailors at India’s largest sailing regatta.“This is a major victory for all of us,” Donald Coelho, their proud father and a former national champion, told TOI. “We have had to battle plenty of odds, make major investments and now the Asian Games dream is closer than ever before.”The trials were conducted in a three-phase format starting November where the sailors were tested across a wide range of conditions, from tactical light winds to physically demanding heavy-air racing.According to sources, the equipment used by both of them during the trials was personally purchased by the family.”“This is a major step for Dayne and Katya. Now, as per the performance pathway that has been set by the govt and Indian Olympic Association (IOA), they must finish within the top six among Asian nations at designated international events to meet the final qualification benchmark. The plan is to ensure that only those with chances of winning a medal make it to the Asian Games,”The Asian Games 2026 will be held in Japan from Sept 19 to Oct 4.“It was an intense three-phase selection spread over three months. Racing in varying wind strengths tested our adaptability and mindset. Winning both categories shows our preparation and mental toughness,” said Dayne.Among the promising performers at the trials was Stefano Alvarez, an upcoming youth sailor who demonstrated impressive skill and determination. He delivered an excellent performance to win the first trial phase but fell short in the following two phases.Stefano, who took to iQFOiL just 10 months ago, fought hard in the third set of trials, but was unlucky to lose the first spot by one point, finishing a close second in the final round of the selection trials.
