India Eyes Record Medal Haul at 2026 Asian Games in Japan

TDT | Manama

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India is setting its sights on a record medal haul at next year’s Asian Games in Japan, as part of a long-term strategy to boost its performance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

At the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the world’s most populous nation delivered its best-ever performance, breaking the 100-medal barrier for the first time and finishing fourth behind China, Japan, and South Korea. Powered by strong showings in cricket, shooting, and archery, India secured 107 medals at the COVID-delayed edition.

Officials are confident the upcoming Games in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled from September 19 to October 4, 2026, will bring even greater success.

“I don’t like to talk about medals ever, but I can assure you that we will definitely do better than last time,” said Adille Sumariwalla, spokesman for the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). “Athletics is something I am close to, and I know that we will do better there.”

A former sprinter who represented India at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, Sumariwalla underlined that the federation’s ultimate focus is Los Angeles 2028. “The focus for the athletics federation is the Olympics in LA 2028. On the way, if the Asian Games give us medals, it is great,” he added.

Star Power and Rivalries

Leading India’s charge will be javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who is aiming for a third consecutive Asian Games title. Chopra, who won Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021, will renew his much-anticipated rivalry with Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who beat him to gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

India’s men’s and women’s cricket teams, both gold medallists in Hangzhou, will look to defend their titles. With cricket set to return to the Olympics in 2028, the sport presents India with a golden opportunity to expand its medal tally on the world stage.

In hockey, the men’s team will seek to defend the crown they regained in 2023, while the women’s side aims for redemption after settling for bronze.

Shooting, Archery, and Traditional Strengths

Shooting, historically India’s strongest discipline at the Asian Games, will again be central to their campaign. Star shooter Manu Bhaker is expected to defend her team gold in the 25m pistol event after becoming the first Indian to win two Olympic shooting medals.

Archery continues to deliver results, with India winning nine medals in Hangzhou and recently clinching the men’s compound team gold at the World Championships in South Korea.

Traditional sports like kabaddi are also expected to fuel India’s medal tally, following their heated final against Iran two years ago.

On the track, India is banking on its men’s and women’s 4x100m relay teams. In April, the men’s relay team clocked 38.69 seconds, a time considered competitive enough for the podium in Aichi-Nagoya.

As India pushes for new records in Japan, the bigger prize remains in sight—the Los Angeles Olympics, where the nation hopes to finally fulfill its potential on the grandest sporting stage.