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India is preparing to compete in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, aiming to build upon its record-breaking performance at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. The event is scheduled to run from September 19 to October 4, featuring athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 43 sports and 469 medal events.
Japan is hosting the continental multi-sport event for the third time, having previously held the Games in Tokyo in 1958 and Hiroshima in 1994. India finished fourth in the medal standings at the Hangzhou Games, securing 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze.
The Indian contingent includes five individual Olympic medallists. Notable athletes representing the country include badminton player PV Sindhu, weightlifter Mirabai Chanu, shooter Manu Bhaker, boxer Lovlina Borgohain, and wrestler Aman Sehrawat. Defending javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra will not participate due to an ankle injury.
India’s athletics team is expected to be a significant part of the campaign, with more than 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 men’s and women’s titles in cricket and kabaddi, as well as the men’s hockey crown.
The hockey tournaments carry 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 securing direct qualification. India will also pursue Olympic quota places 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.
China, which has topped the Asian Games medal table at every edition since 1982, enters the competition following a record-breaking 201 gold medals in Hangzhou. Japan and South Korea, which finished second and third respectively in the previous edition, are also expected to be major contenders. While the official opening is September 19, some competitions, such as men’s basketball, have already commenced.
Article and image source: singaporestar.com
