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India is preparing to compete in the 20th Asian Games, which are scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4, 2026. The Indian contingent aims to build upon its performance at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, where the nation secured a record-breaking 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze.
The upcoming Games will feature athletes from 45 countries and regions competing across 43 sports and 469 medal events. Japan is hosting the event for the third time, having previously held the Games in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994.
India’s squad includes several Olympic medallists and reigning champions, though defending javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra will not participate due to an ankle injury. Notable athletes representing India include badminton player PV Sindhu, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, shooter Manu Bhaker, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and wrestler Aman Sehrawat.
The athletics team is expected to be a significant part of the Indian campaign, with over 70 track and field athletes set to compete. Shot putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor will attempt to secure his third consecutive title in the event. Additionally, India will look to defend its titles in men’s and women’s cricket, men’s and women’s kabaddi, and men’s hockey.
The hockey tournaments hold additional importance, as they serve as qualification events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with the winners of both the men’s and women’s competitions earning direct entry. Opportunities for Olympic qualification will also be available in archery, sailing, squash, surfing, and tennis.
The Aichi-Nagoya Games will introduce several new sports and disciplines, including mixed martial arts, padel, surfing, virtual taekwondo, and teqball. Esports and breaking, which debuted in Hangzhou, will also be featured.
Events will be held across Aichi Prefecture and other locations in Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka, with the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium serving as the main venue. China, which has led the medal table at every Asian Games since 1982, enters the competition following a 201-gold medal performance in Hangzhou. Japan and South Korea finished second and third, respectively, in the previous edition.
Article source: srilankasource.com | Image credit: The Economic Times
