The Asian Games 2026 will begin on September 19. They will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. India wants to build on its strong showing from three years ago.
At the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, India won a record 107 medals. That included 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze. The total was later revised to 106. Boxer Parveen Hooda lost her medal after a 22-month suspension. India finished fourth in the medal standings. Now the big question is whether India can win 100 or more medals again.
India has been improving at the Asian Games over time. In 2014 at Incheon, India won 57 medals. In 2018 in Jakarta, the count rose to 69. Then came the big jump to 107 at Hangzhou. Athletics played a big role. The track and field team won 29 medals. Other strong sports included shooting, boxing, badminton, wrestling, and archery.
But India faces some setbacks this time. Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra is injured. He was aiming for a third straight gold. He has been replaced by Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Yashvir Singh. India will also miss some top archers. Atanu Das, Ojas Pravin Deotale, and Abhishek Verma failed to qualify through the national trials.
Still, India has many strong medal hopes. Manu Bhaker is a double Olympic medallist. She won team gold in the 25m pistol event at Hangzhou. Aman Sehrawat won bronze in 57kg freestyle wrestling at Hangzhou and at the Paris Olympics. Mirabai Chanu, a Commonwealth Games champion, is now fully fit. Gulveer Singh made history at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. He became the first Indian to win bronze in the men’s 5,000m. He also won silver in the 10,000m.
In archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara is a hope. He won silver in the men’s recurve team at Hangzhou. In shooting, Esha Singh won four medals at Hangzhou. She will aim for more. The athletics team has big names. Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Parul Chaudhary, Avinash Sable, and Annu Rani will try to defend their Asian Games titles. Parul has set a target of winning three medals in Japan.
Shooting and badminton could boost India’s medal count. Shooting has been a reliable sport for India. Manisha Keer won silver in trap at Hangzhou. She will aim for gold. Rudrankksh Patil will compete in the 10m air rifle and 50m 3-position events. In badminton, India has 20 athletes. PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and Ayush Shetty are in the squad. Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty are a big hope in men’s doubles. They won the China Masters recently. They will defend their Asian Games gold.
Team sports also offer chances. In hockey, both the men’s and women’s teams can win medals. The women’s team finished fifth at the recent World Cup. They have not won Asian Games gold since 1982. In cricket, India has a strong chance for gold in both men’s and women’s events. Pakistan is the main rival. In kabaddi, India has long been the top team. But Japan and Iran are improving. Both Indian teams will try to defend their Hangzhou golds.
Wrestling, boxing, and weightlifting are other areas. India is sending 16 wrestlers. Antim Panghal is a World Championships bronze medallist. Aman Sehrawat is also a top contender. In boxing, Lovlina Borgohain, Narendar Berwal, and Jadumani Singh are Commonwealth Games silver medallists.
India has enough talent to improve its medal count. The 2026 Asian Games will be a big test but many athletes are ready to step up.
When is the Asian Games 2026 Starting?
The 2026 Asian Games begin on September 19, 2026. They run until October 4, 2026. The event is also known as Aichi–Nagoya 2026 and is being held in Japan. The Games will take place around Aichi Prefecture in Japan. Nagoya is the main host city.
Nagoya will be the third Japanese city to host the Asian Games. Tokyo hosted in 1958. Hiroshima hosted in 1994. The event returns to its normal four-year cycle. The 2022 edition was postponed to 2023 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2026 Games also mark the 75th anniversary of the first Asian Games. That event was held in New Delhi, India, in 1951.
The events will not be limited to Nagoya. They will be spread across several cities in Aichi Prefecture. Some venues in the Greater Tokyo Area will also be used. These venues hosted events during the 2020 Summer Olympics. Other events will take place in Gifu, Osaka, and Shizuoka prefectures. Cycling will be held at the Izu Velodrome in Izu, Shizuoka.
Hisaya Odori Park will host a fan zone during the Asian Games and Asian Para Games. It will also be a celebration and cultural exchange hub. The area is called One Asia World. It was inspired by the Champions Park used during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
FAQs
Q. How many medals did India win at the 2023 Asian Games?
A. India won 107 medals, later revised to 106.
Q. Where will the 2026 Asian Games be held?
A. They will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Q. When will the 2026 Asian Games begin?
A. The Games will begin on September 19, 2026.
Q. Which Indian javelin thrower will miss the Asian Games?
A. Neeraj Chopra will miss the Games due to injury.
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