New Delhi, September 8 (Daily Kiran) : The Asian Games 2026 are set to kick off on September 19, with excitement building in Japan’s Aichi and Nagoya, where the event will take place until October 4. Indian athletes are intensifying their preparations, and judo star Asmita Dev is eager to replicate her gold medal success from the Commonwealth Games in the 48-kilogram category at this prestigious event.
During a farewell ceremony in New Delhi for the Asian Games team, Asmita expressed her determination, saying, “With the Asian Games approaching quickly, I am putting in my best effort. I have been training hard in the remaining days, and I will head to Japan in the next 2-3 days for more intensive training. Time is limited, so I want to maximize my training to win a medal for my country. Competing against athletes from Japan, China, and Mongolia will be tough, but I aim to deliver an excellent performance and secure a medal.”
Piyush Jain, a top-ranked player in the under-17 and under-19 categories, recently won a silver medal in men’s singles at the 22nd Commonwealth Table Tennis Championship. He shared insights on his preparation for the Asian Games, stating, “We are arriving five days early to acclimatize and assess what adjustments we need to make. Our preparations have been solid, and we are hopeful. We want to win gold for our country, though it will be a challenging competition. We are optimistic about winning a medal.”
Ahead of the Asian Games, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey commented on the significance of the upcoming World Cup. He noted the women’s team had performed admirably, securing draws against formidable teams like China, England, and Australia, despite a loss to the Netherlands. He expressed optimism for the women’s team at the Asian Games and acknowledged the men’s team’s need for improvement, saying, “The players are aware of their shortcomings and understand the importance of the Asian Games. Harman has been performing exceptionally well, and I hope the men’s team will exceed their World Cup performance.”
Kabaddi player Pawan Sehrawat also shared positive sentiments about his team’s readiness, stating, “Our preparations have been excellent. We have been in camp for the last 8-9 months. Our expectations are the same as in 2023 when we won the gold medal, and we are determined to bring home another gold.”
There are high hopes for both the men’s and women’s cricket teams at the Asian Games. Rajeev Shukla, Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), affirmed, “We are fully prepared for the Asian Games. The teams are ready, and we will perform well. There is no doubt we will win gold medals. Our men’s and women’s teams will both secure gold.”
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