After more than two weeks of intense competition that saw over 15,000 athletes from 45 countries set nearly 50 world records, Aichi-Nagoya bid adieu to the Asian Games on Sunday (October 4, 2026).
India finishes fourth
India’s athletes made their mark at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, winning 85 medals across a range of disciplines, with standout performances in athletics, shooting and the newly introduced mixed martial arts events.
The country could not repeat or better the 106 medals won at the previous edition, but the haul of 85 was a creditable performance, although more was expected, particularly from the shooters and badminton players. India eventually finished with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals.
Last minute gold rush
Eleven of India’s 21 gold medals came in the final two days, with 17-year-old archer Kumkum Mohod and golfer Pranavi Urs scripting history as they contributed to a late gold rush that powered India to a creditable fourth-place finish at the Asian Games in Nagoya on Saturday (October 3, 2026).
Indian women recurve archers were led by the intrepid 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod, who went where no Indian archer had gone before. Her gold medals in the team and individual events were historic, while her securing a direct quota for the Los Angeles Olympics was equally significant.
Meanwhile, Pranavi Urs made history by winning the women’s individual golf title. It was India’s first Asian Games gold medal in golf, giving the country another landmark triumph in Aichi-Nagoya.
Both the Indian men’s and women’s cricket teams won gold. The men’s team clinched the title with a 19-run victory over Pakistan, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s women’s team retained its crown in commanding fashion with a 147-run win over Sri Lanka in the final at the Korogi Athletics Park in Nisshin.
On the hockey field, too, India reigned supreme. Captain Harmanpreet Singh rose to the occasion with a brace in a 5-1 win over Malaysia that not only secured the gold for the second successive time but also earned India a berth at the 2028 Olympics.
The women’s hockey team won its first Asian Games gold since 1982, defeating defending champion China 1-0 in the final to reclaim the title after 44 years and secure an Olympic berth. It was also the first time that the Indian men’s and women’s teams finished on top at the same edition of the continental showpiece.
Here’s a look at India’s medal winners at the Asian Games 2026.
Published – October 06, 2026 02:41 pm IST
