India Gears Up for Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan

Overview of the Asian Games 2026

The Asian Games 2026 are set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. India is preparing to send athletes across various sports, aiming to improve upon its past performances, as reported by Olympics.com.

Event Schedule and Key Matches

The sporting events will commence on September 10, nine days prior to the opening ceremony. India's participation will kick off with teqball on September 17, followed by the women's cricket team competing against Japan in the quarter-finals on September 18. India will defend its titles in both men's and women's cricket and kabaddi, with the men's hockey team also entering as defending champions.

Star Athletes Representing India

PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medallist, will lead the badminton team, with competitions starting at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on September 20. Olympic medallist Mirabai Chanu will head the five-member weightlifting squad, while Manu Bhaker, another double Olympic medallist, will be a key figure among the shooters. Aman Sehrawat, who won a bronze medal in Paris 2024, will represent India in wrestling.

Boxing and Athletics Highlights

India's boxing team enters the Asian Games following a record-breaking performance at the Commonwealth Games, where they secured 10 medals, including seven golds. Notable boxers like Lovlina Borgohain and Commonwealth champion Sakshi Chaudhary will compete in Aichi-Nagoya. Athletics will also be a major focus, with over 70 Indian athletes expected to participate in events scheduled from September 24 to 29.

India's Ambitions at the Games

With a strong lineup of Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallists, India aims to deliver impressive performances across various sports and defend its titles in crucial team events at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

Detailed Schedule for Indian Athletes

Asian Games 2026 India Schedule:

Archery Schedule

September 26 to 29: Recurve and compound events

September 30 to October 1: Compound events - medal rounds

October 2 to 3: Recurve events - medal rounds

Artistic Gymnastics Schedule

September 22: Women's all-around and vault - qualification

September 23: Women's all-around - final (subject to qualification)

September 24: Women's vault - final (subject to qualification)

Athletics Schedule

September 24: Various events including Women's heptathlon and Men's 100m - round 1

September 25: Finals for Men's 100m and Women's shot put

September 26: Men's marathon - final

September 27: Finals for Women's long jump and Men's high jump

September 28: Finals for Men's 400m and Women's 800m

September 29: Finals for Men's pole vault and Women's hammer throw

Badminton Schedule

September 20: Men's and Women's team - preliminary rounds

September 22: Men's and Women's team - quarter-finals

September 24: Men's and Women's team - finals

Boxing Schedule

September 21: Men's 90kg - preliminary rounds

September 22: Women's 51kg - preliminary rounds

October 2: Finals for Men's 55kg and Women's 51kg

Weightlifting Schedule

September 23 to 29: Various weight categories including Men's 60kg and Women's 49kg

Wrestling Schedule

September 30 to October 3: Various weight categories for Men's Greco-Roman and Women's freestyle