Aichi-Nagoya, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : India concluded its campaign at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, securing fourth place in the medal tally with a total of 85 medals. The nation achieved this remarkable feat by winning gold medals in cricket and hockey, alongside impressive performances in archery, boxing, and athletics.
A contingent of nearly 500 Indian athletes participated in this continental multi-sport event, earning 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze medals. Although the total of 85 medals is India’s second-highest performance in Asian Games history, it falls short of the record 106 medals won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.
Athletics proved to be the most successful sport for India, yielding 24 medals. Shooting contributed 15 medals, including three golds, while archery led in golds with five victories. Boxing also saw India secure three gold medals.
Notably, boxer Lovlina Borgohain made history by winning a gold medal, becoming the second Indian female boxer to achieve this feat at the Asian Games, following Mary Kom in 2014. Wrestlers Aman Sagar and Sujit Kalakal also claimed gold medals in their respective categories.
India’s performance in team sports was equally commendable. Both the men’s and women’s cricket teams defended their titles, with the men’s team defeating Pakistan and the women’s team overcoming Sri Lanka to clinch gold. Additionally, the men’s and women’s kabaddi teams also brought home gold medals. The Indian women’s hockey team ended a 44-year wait by winning the Asian Games title.
Several Indian athletes set new records and achieved historic milestones during the games. Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in golf at the Asian Games, while 17-year-old Kumkum Mahod made history as the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve gold medal. Kumkum also won gold in the women’s recurve team event alongside Ankita Bhakt and Kirti Sharma, marking the first-ever gold for Indian women in this category at the Asian Games.
Neeru Dhanda secured India’s first individual gold medal in the women’s trap event. Kumkum and Suruchi Singh matched the Asian record in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol competition, also winning gold.
In athletics, Vithya Ramraj broke a 42-year-old national record in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, earning a bronze medal. Yashveer Singh and Rohit Yadav won silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s javelin throw. Notably, Neeraj Chopra did not compete due to injury.
Sawan Barwal brought home India’s first marathon medal since 1982, setting a national record in the process. Sarvesh Kushare ended a 56-year medal drought for India in the men’s high jump. Baranika Elangovan became the first Indian pole vaulter to win a medal at the Asian Games.
India also achieved first-time medals in several other sports. Suchika Tariyal secured India’s first medal in mixed martial arts, while Jai Meena reached the semifinals in soft tennis, earning the country’s inaugural medal in that sport.
Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the women’s 49-kilogram weight category, marking her first medal at the Asian Games and India’s first weightlifting medal since the 1998 Bangkok Games. Roshibina Devi won her third consecutive continental medal in wushu, and Seema Kumari ended a 16-year medal drought in the women’s 10,000 meters.
Anahat Singh made history as the first Indian woman to win a silver medal in the singles event at the Asian Games. Both Anahat and Abhay Singh missed out on gold in their respective singles finals.
India also secured quotas for archery and hockey for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with spots available in seven sports including archery, hockey, sailing, squash, surfing, tennis, and triathlon.
India’s standout performance occurred on Friday when it won six golds among a total of 12 medals. On Saturday, just one day before the final event, India added nine more medals to its tally, including golds in cricket and hockey. In individual events, Aman Sagar, Kumkum Anil Mahod, and golfer Pranavi Urs won gold medals.
The men’s cricket team retained its title by defeating Pakistan by 19 runs. Kumkum Anil Mahod made history by winning India’s first gold in women’s individual recurve. Aman Sagar secured gold in wrestling, while Antim Panghal earned silver and Deepak Punia claimed bronze.
Pranavi Sharat Urs made history by winning gold in women’s individual golf, while the Indian women’s team earned a silver medal, completing an all-Indian podium with Neeraj Chauhan’s bronze.
While India’s medal count at Aichi-Nagoya was lower than its record performance in Hangzhou, the event was marked by historic firsts, national records, successful title defenses, and Olympic quota achievements.
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