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As the Asian Games kicked off, Prime Minister Modi sent his heartfelt wishes to the Indian athletes. Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and renowned kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat spearheaded the Indian team. Starting Sunday, these talented athletes will launch their pursuit of medals across multiple sports, with ambitions high to exceed their previous best from Hangzhou. A lineup of celebrated sports stars is set to compete for India’s glory.
At the start of her foray into air rifle shooting, Vidarsha Vinod braved several odds, including a severe lack of essential sporting equipment, which forced her parents to take out a loan to buy an expensive air rifle and shooting jackets.
India’s Asian Games campaign in Nagoya was hit by a last-minute organisational setback after defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor was replaced as the country’s flagbearer at the opening ceremony, according to a report by ToI's Manuja Veerappa & Sabi Hussain.Toor was due to carry the Indian flag alongside Manu Bhaker at Saturday’s ceremony. However, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) replaced him with kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat on Friday night after Toor informed officials that he would not have the ceremonial kit required for the event in time.Also read: Asian Games 2026
Shafali Verma’s historic 100 off 49 balls powered India Women to 195/4 before their bowlers bundled Bangladesh out for 81 in 15.4 overs, sealing a 114-run win in the Asian Games 2026 semi-final. India booked a place in the gold-medal match against Sri Lanka, while Shafali became the first player to score a century in women’s Asian Games cricket.
Defending champions India began their Asian Games men's hockey campaign in emphatic fashion, thrashing Indonesia 13-1 in their opening Pool A match. Dilpreet Singh led the rout with four goals, while Shilanand Lakra and Sukhjeet Singh scored twice each. India will next face Sri Lanka on Tuesday as they begin their title defence.
India's 114-run victory sets up gold-medal match clash against Sri Lanka
India opened its medal account with two silver medals in women's 10m air rifle competition. Suchika Tariyal secured at least a bronze medal in MMA's debut event. The women's cricket team advanced to the final after a dominant semifinal win. Both men's and women's hockey teams achieved emphatic victories in their opening matches. Badminton and table tennis teams also delivered strong performances on the opening day.
Agriculture T. Siddique visits the residence of Vidarsha, the first Keralite woman shooter to win a silver medal at the Asian Games, in Kozhikode; he assures her of the government’s support in all her future endeavours
India made a striking start at the Asian Games, capturing two silver medals in shooting events. Elavenil Valarivan was a standout, winning silvers both individually and as part of the team in the 10m air rifle competition. Additionally, the women's cricket team powered through to the finals, showcasing their strength, along with commendable starts from the hockey and table tennis teams, who also secured significant victories.
In a stunning display of skill, India's women's hockey team triumphed at the Asian Games 2026, annihilating Indonesia with a score of 17-1 in their second Pool B clash. Star forwards Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal, and Navneet Kaur shone brightly, each netting three goals. Additionally, veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia marked a milestone by becoming the highest-capped player in Indian women's hockey.
The two openers have been in destructive form, and either could take the game away quickly given the dimensions of the ground in Nisshin
Swimming events at the Asian Games 2026 are being held at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo.
If rain allows, Japan will get a chance to see up close how India, the global superstars, go about their business
The Indian pair lost their semifinal to China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha 8-11, 5-11, 8-11, 2-11, but finished on the podium with a bronze medal.
During a thrilling day at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, India brought home six medals, showcasing its athletic prowess. Baranica Elangovan made waves as she bagged a bronze medal in women's pole vault, a historic first for the nation. In shooting, Suruchi Singh and Kamaljeet delivered a sensational performance, earning gold and ending a lengthy wait for that accolade.
India defeated Iran 37-33 to win the women’s kabaddi gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, securing their fourth title after previous triumphs in 2010, 2014 and 2022. The gold took India’s tally to 27 medals, including three gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze. Sawan Barwal and India’s women’s 50m rifle 3P team also won silver.
Weeks before the 2026 Asian Games, 25-year-old Jay Meena could barely climb a flight of stairs. Typhoid had left him eight kilograms lighter, bedridden and racing against time. In Nagoya, the 25-year-old overcame illness, injury and self-doubt to win India's first-ever Asian Games medal in Soft Tennis, completing an extraordinary journey that began with a school rustication.
Anahat Singh's stunning win against world No. 6 Satomi Watanabe paves her way to the finals, bringing her closer to a coveted gold medal at the Asian Games 2026. This tournament doubles as the Asian qualifying event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In previous matches, Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar clinched bronze in the mixed doubles, showcasing India's competitive spirit as Anahat aims for gold.
Quarter-final line-ups: Afghanistan vs India, Hong Kong vs Pakistan, Bangladesh vs Malaysia and Nepal vs Sri Lanka
Nepal, Afghanistan, Hong Kong and Malaysia have entered the Asian Games quarter-finals from the group stage
India's performance at the Asian Games improved as Prachi Choudhary won a bronze medal in women’s 400m. This victory raised India's total medal count to 30, comprising four gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze. Tajinderpal Singh Toor secured a silver in the men’s shot put after a strong competition. Meanwhile, two athletes advanced to the women’s 200m final, showing promise for further medal opportunities.
At the Asian Games 2026, India marked a notable achievement by gathering seven medals on Saturday. The kabaddi squads were outstanding, with men and women conquering Iran to uphold their golds. Sawan Barwal made headlines, winning silver in the men’s marathon, signaling an end to India’s medal dry spell. Silver medals in shooting and a bronze in athletics from Prachi Choudhary highlighted a promising day across various sports.
Indian athletes competing at the 2026 Asian Games are poised to gain financial rewards for their medal achievements. Gold, silver, and bronze medal winners might receive cash awards of up to Rs 30 lakh. Awards for team events will be distributed based on team size, while individual athletes winning multiple medals could also earn higher amounts.
At the Asian Games 2026, Abhay Singh proudly claimed the silver medal in men’s singles squash, although he fell short against Malaysia’s Ng Eain Yow in the finals. The match showcased Abhay's skill initially, but Ng’s superior performance and control resulted in a straight-set victory of 11–9, 11–5, 11–5. All eyes are now eagerly awaiting the thrilling women's singles final featuring Anahat Singh versus Sivasangari Subramaniam.
Nagoya: India's Abhay Singh settled for an Asian Games silver medal after going down against Eain Yow Ng of Malaysia in the men's singles final of the squash competition here on Sunday.Abhay, ranked 26, could not post a stiff challenge to Yow, the world number 18 who defended his gold medal with a commanding performance.Track Asian Games live action hereThe scoreline read 11-9, 11-5, 11-5 in the Malaysian's favour.It was Abhay's eighth loss to the Malaysian.Anahat Singh, the first Indian to reach the women's singles final, is scheduled to play the title clash against Malaysian Sivasangari Subr
PV Sindhu played twice on Saturday, with her third-round match finishing after midnight. She was back on court on Sunday afternoon for her quarterfinal against China's Chen Yufei, which she lost.
In a thrilling finish, Harita Bhadra grabbed a bronze in the women’s 200m race, recording 23.20 seconds. Just 0.01 seconds later, Japan’s Abigeirufuka Ido crossed the line. Gold went to Indonesia's Shanti Pereira and silver to China's Yujie Chen. With nine athletics medals amassed at the Aichi-Nagoya Games, India’s team is set to pursue more victories as the competition continues to heat up.
In a nail-biting finish at the Asian Games 2026, Ancy Sojan just fell short of clinching the gold medal in the women's long jump, achieving a stellar jump of 6.53m, only to be bested by China's Yingying Huang at 6.55m. Shaili Singh, meanwhile, faced disappointment, slipping to fourth place with a last jump that pushed her down after Mengyi Tan's leap.
In an impressive display of athleticism, Tejaswin Shankar clinched the decathlon bronze medal at the Asian Games by triumphing in the 1500m race. With a remarkable total of 7,934 points, he secured a podium position, while Japan's Yuma Maruyama took the gold. Meanwhile, Ancy Sojan finished just shy of gold in the women's long jump, placing second behind China's Yingying Huang.
Kushare cleared 2.25m to finish second. Chinese Taipei's Chao-hsuan Fu also cleared 2.25m but won gold, while South Korea's Sanghyeok Woo took bronze with a best effort of 2.22m. He cleared 2.10m, 2.14m, 2.18m, 2.22m and 2.25m before failing to clear 2.28m in all three attempts.
India added seven medals on Day 8 of the Asian Games, including two silver medals in squash and five in athletics. Parul Chaudhary achieved a new national record in the women's 3000m steeplechase, winning bronze. However, India did not win any gold medals, leading to a drop in its overall standings. Boxers Parveen Hooda, Ankush Panghal, and Narender secured medals by reaching the semifinals.
India showcased a stellar performance at the Asian Games 2026, clinching a total of seven medals, predominantly in athletics and squash. Parul Chaudhary shone brightly, securing a bronze in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. Silver medals were added by Ancy Sojan and Sarvesh Kushare in their respective disciplines. The boxing team also excelled, confirming three medals through successful semifinal performances.
Though Ancy Sojan had to settle for silver for the second straight Asian Games, pride was writ large on every face at her hometown. Behind the medal lies years of persistence by an athlete and a family that kept choosing sports despite financial constraints
Nagoya: There is a spring in her stride, strength in her muscles and a touch of artistry in fingers that comes alive while designing pieces for her handmade jewellery brand.India's Asian Games bronze-winning sprinter Harita Bhadra is one woman with many interests.Also Read: Asian Games 2026: Harita Bhadra wins bronze in women's 200mAnd soon after that breakthrough 200m bronze in her debut Asiad, the businesswoman in her also visualised the next assignment -- design an "earring or something" for her brand Dagina to commemorate her maiden run at an international competition."I definitely will de
At the Asian Games, Pincky Balhara clinched a bronze medal in the women's -78kg kurash category, following her silver medal achievement from 2018's Jakarta Games. She advanced to the semifinals with a solid 3-0 victory against Garam Lim of South Korea. However, Balhara was bested by Sumin Mo in the semifinals, resulting in a score of 5-0.
India's women's 25m pistol team faced disappointment at the Asian Games 2026 due to a critical error. Rahi Sarnobat missed a crucial shot in the fourth series, which resulted in zero points and affected the overall performance. India finished fifth overall, missing medal positions by a narrow margin of points. Despite the setback, Esha Singh secured a silver medal in the individual event after an intense competition.
Pincky Balhara has secured a bronze medal in the women's -78kg Kurash event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games. She previously won a silver medal in the women's -52kg category at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games. Balhara faced significant personal loss before the 2018 Games but found motivation through her father's dream. The sport of Kurash, which is related to judo, made its Asian Games debut eight years ago.
Varun Sanyal’s Asian Games journey was marked by travel chaos, logistical hurdles, and an extreme weight cut that ended his campaign before it began. Despite the setback, he played a key support role as teammate Suchika Tara Devi won India’s first MMA medal at the Games.
Vithya Ramraj broke PT Usha’s 42-year-old national record in the women’s 400m hurdles, clocking a personal best 54.75 seconds to win bronze at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya. The Indian hurdler had equalled Usha’s 55.42-second mark at Hangzhou in 2023. A trucker’s daughter from Coimbatore, Ramraj has since represented India at the Paris Olympics and won another bronze at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships.
Avinash Sable secured fourth place in the men's 3000m steeplechase, just shy of a medal with a season-best finish of 8:21.67. In a brighter moment for India, Vithya Ramraj clinched a bronze in the women's 400m hurdles, achieving a personal best of 54.75 seconds. Meanwhile, Seema Kaliramna came close in the women’s discus throw, missing the podium with her throw of 59.88m.
India had its best day of the Asian Games so far as compound archers won all three team gold medals, while shooters Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai also finished on top in the mixed trap event. Three bronze medals in boxing and wrestling took India’s overall tally to 60 medals - 10 gold, 21 silver and 29 bronze. India also moved up to eighth place from 10th on Tuesday.
With an unbeaten 80 runs, Ishan Kishan played a key role in guiding India to the final of the Asian Games. India's strong performance was underscored by their bowlers, who restricted Sri Lanka to just 45 runs. Kishan recognized the importance of maintaining concentration ahead of the challenging match against Pakistan, acknowledging the intense pressure associated with vying for a medal.
India produced a stunning six-gold haul on the penultimate day of the Asian Games on Friday, with the women's hockey team, three boxers, archers and wrestler Sujeet Kalkal leading a late surge that took the country into the top five of the medal table. India moved to fifth place with 76 medals - 16 gold, 25 silver and 35 bronze. India have more medals than fourth-placed Uzbekistan, who have 65, but trail them by four gold medals.
Pranavi Urs achieved a historic milestone by winning an individual gold medal at the Asian Games. She became the first Indian woman to achieve this feat in golf. After a challenging start, Pranavi secured her victory with a total of 15-under 265. This win also contributed to India's silver medal in the team event alongside Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar.
Abhishek Sharma produced another attacking innings as India made a strong start against Pakistan in the gold medal match of the Asian Games 2026 at the Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday. India opted to bat first after winning the toss, and Abhishek gave the team the perfect start. The left-hander smashed a quick 61 off 28 balls, hitting seven sixes and giving India early momentum in the high-profile final.
The Indian women's hockey team had last won the gold medal at the Asian Games in 1982
India had never won successive Asian Games gold medals, making Saturday's final an opportunity to create history. Harmanpreet Singh-led India made the most of it as they successfully defended their title.
India finished fourth at the 2026 Asian Games with 85 medals, including 21 golds, below its Hangzhou record of 106. Archery, hockey, cricket, boxing and wrestling delivered major successes, while athletics topped the overall medal count with 24. Tennis, badminton, esports, fencing and volleyball disappointed, while shooting, table tennis and rowing produced mixed or underwhelming returns overall.
India defended only eight of its 28 Hangzhou golds at Aichi-Nagoya, with 20 titles changing hands. All seven shooting golds and all six athletics titles were lost, but the gold medals were replaced from a wider pool. Thirteen came from events where India had won silver or bronze, or had not reached the podium. From Pranavi Urs to Lovlina Borgohain, the medal map changed even as traditional strengths remained again.
India's men's cricket team triumphed at the Asian Games 2026, capturing the gold medal with a decisive 19-run win over arch-rivals Pakistan at Korakuen Stadium. With a formidable score of 211 runs, powered by standout performances from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, India showcased dominance. Although Pakistan's Hasan Nawaz fought valiantly with 96 runs, India's bowlers sealed the deal, underlining their title-winning prowess.
Chennai resident Seshadri Sukumar kickstarted a career in sports photography, mid-life, turning his back on the familiar and the comfortable, including a long career in the banking sector, and that has made all the difference. He is right now covering the 20th Asian Games in Japan
Sanju Samson praised the seasoned players for their vital contributions in overcoming the challenges faced during the Asian Games final against Pakistan. India clinched victory by 19 runs, scoring 211 while Pakistan ended with 192. Samson highlighted the importance of experience in navigating weather interruptions, turning the India-Pakistan showdown into a crucial platform for their skills.
The 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya successfully ended with Qatar receiving the flag for the next event in 2030. India concluded the Games with 85 medals, including 21 gold, and finished fourth overall. China led the medal tally, securing its best performance outside its home territory. Despite organisational challenges, individual athletic performances celebrated the spirit of competition. As the Games transitioned to Doha, the focus shifted towards preparations for 2030.
Yu Zidi, a 13-year-old swimmer from China, set multiple records and won three gold medals at the Asian Games. Puripol Boonson, a 20-year-old sprinter from Thailand, achieved a 100m-200m double with four record-breaking performances. Both athletes earned the titles of Female and Male Most Valuable Players for their remarkable achievements. Their performances established them as promising stars in Asian sports moving forward.
The 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya wrapped up showcasing extraordinary athletic talent, with a staggering 54 world records shattered. While there were complaints about accommodations and transportation, the Olympic Council of Asia celebrated a nearly 20% revenue increase. With around 17,000 athletes taking part, the event demonstrated the power of sports to unite.
After the Asian Games, Abhinav Bindra called for a revolution in high-performance systems for Indian athletes. While acknowledging India’s notable successes, he insisted on a careful assessment of both triumphs and failures. With the Los Angeles Olympics approaching, Bindra pointed out the necessity of stable athlete growth and targeted training.
At the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Kumkum Mohod and Sujeet Kalkal shone brightly, capturing the spotlight with their remarkable achievements. Mohod clinched three medals, including two golds, breaking South Korea's stronghold in archery. Meanwhile, Kalkal staged an impressive comeback to win gold in men's 65kg freestyle wrestling. Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha lauded their tenacity, announcing plans to celebrate their triumphs in an upcoming ceremony.
Indian wrestlers shone at the Asian Games, clinching six medals and aiming for Olympic success. A standout performance saw Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal grab gold in their categories. Nitesh Siwach made a triumphant comeback with silver, while Deepak Punia took bronze in a new weight class. Antim Panghal secured silver, showing improvement, and Sunil Kumar etched his name in history with a second medal.
Pranavi Urs, 1st Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games golf gold, wants to bring more attention to a sport she believes is still misunderstood in India. From the rise of women's golf, influence of Aditi Ashok to the support system behind her career, Pranavi speaks on what the medal can do for the sport, overcoming a final-round setback and her belief that an LET title will eventually come.
Ritu Negi, the celebrated captain of the kabaddi team, has been overlooked for a cash reward following the women's gold medal win at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. While her teammates received acknowledgments, her exclusion has raised serious concerns about recognition for athletes, especially after marriage. The Sports Minister has committed to reviewing this oversight and ensuring that Ritu's remarkable contributions are appropriately honored.
Kumkum Mohod won the women's individual recurve gold medal at the Asian Games. She defeated South Korea’s Oh Yejin in a closely contested final. Kumkum also won gold in the recurve team event and silver in the mixed team event. Her success has secured a quota place for India at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. She aims to achieve her ultimate goal of winning Olympic gold in the future.
Rohit Yadav made an impressive mark at the Asian Games javelin final with support from Neeraj Chopra, who lent him a javelin after Yadav’s was damaged. With a throw of 84.35m, Yadav clinched a bronze medal. This victory led to a heartfelt message from Chopra, eager to join forces in future competitions. Yadav is now set to refine his skills for upcoming international events.
India's disappointing medal tally at the 2026 Asian Games prompted scrutiny from the Sports Ministry, with calls for National Sports Federations (NSFs) to take greater responsibility. In a meeting on Thursday, emphasis was placed on developing a pipeline of athletes rather than relying on a few stars. Preparations for future events, including the 2028 Olympics and 2030 Commonwealth Games, were also discussed, highlighting the need for better support systems.
The athletes presented the PM with memorabilia, including signed jerseys and a bow from 17-year-old archery sensation Kumkum Mohod.
Mr. Modi posed for pictures with the contingent that was accompanied by top officials of the sports bodies, including International Cricket Council Chairman Jay Shah
At 36, after years of setbacks, selection hurdles and changing sports, Suchika Tariyal finally has the Asian Games medal she had chased since childhood. India’s first Asian Games MMA medallist came within 700 grams of a place in the final at Aichi-Nagoya. From an eight-time national judo champion to a ju-jitsu world champion, Tariyal’s journey has been shaped by financial strain, doubts over her age and her husband Kapil Hooda’s unwavering faith.
India will be represented by 166 athletes across 10 disciplines at the October 18-24 event. The contingent features several Paralympic medallists, world champions and emerging talents, including archer Sheetal Devi, badminton stars Pramod Bhagat and Suhas Yathiraj, and para-table tennis player Bhavina Patel.
Kokila has triumphed by defeating China's Yi Liu in the para-judo semifinals and is now set to vie for gold against Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy. Meanwhile, Kapil Parmar is striving for a bronze in the men’s J1 -70kg after a tough semifinal defeat. Additionally, Sheetal Devi equaled the world record in the women's compound ranking round, showcasing India’s impressive prowess at the Asian Para Games.
Mona Agarwal and Avani Lekhara achieved a remarkable feat in the women's 10m air rifle event. Mona secured the gold medal with a score of 250.0 points. Avani followed closely behind, earning a silver medal at 249.6 points. Both shooters showcased their skills throughout the competition, finishing well ahead of their rivals. This performance adds to India's success at the 2026 Asian Para Games.
Mona Agarwal scored 250.0 points in the final at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery to set a new Asian Para Games record. She broke the previous record of 249.6 points, set by Avani Lekhara at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.