Northeast Athletes Poised for Success at Asian Games 2026
Northeast Stars Set to Shine in Aichi-Nagoya
Lovlina Borgohain (left), Mirabai Chanu (Right)
Guwahati, Sept 14: Olympic medalist Lovlina Borgohain and three-time Commonwealth Games champion Saikhom Mirabai Chanu are expected to be the leading medal contenders from the Northeast as India prepares for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
These two prominent athletes are anticipated to spearhead the challenge, alongside several other competitors from the region who have shown promising performances recently, such as Commonwealth Games gold medalist Asmita Dey in judo and silver medalist Jadumani Singh Mandengbam in boxing.
Lovlina, hailing from Assam, secured a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics and continues to be a top medal prospect in women's boxing. She recently earned a silver medal in the 75kg category at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, following a bronze at the Asian Boxing Championships earlier this year.
The upcoming Asian Games present another chance for the 28-year-old to enhance her international medal tally.
Mirabai, representing Manipur, enters the weightlifting events with impressive recent form, having clinched her third consecutive Commonwealth Games gold in July by lifting 190kg in the women's 49kg category.
She also set new Games records with an 85kg snatch and a 105kg clean and jerk. Her experience and consistency position her as one of India's top medal hopefuls in Nagoya. Additionally, Manipur will be represented in weightlifting by Seram Nirupama Devi.
Other athletes are also optimistic following strong showings in recent international competitions.
Asmita Dey has emerged as a notable figure in judo, being the first Indian judoka to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, and she aims to carry that momentum into the Asian Games, where the competition will be tougher.
Jadumani Singh is also arriving with confidence after securing a silver medal in the 55kg boxing category at the Commonwealth Games, looking to translate his recent success into another strong performance on the international stage.
Manipur's wushu team includes two-time Asian Games medalist Naorem Roshibina Devi, who is aiming for another podium finish, along with Suraj Singh Mayanglambam and Langlentombi Devi Hanjabam.
Assam's Isharani Baruah will compete in badminton, while O Amarjit Singha will participate in sepak takraw. From Arunachal Pradesh, Nyeman Wangsu and Rupa Bayor will compete in wushu and taekwondo, respectively.
Manipur will also feature Soniya Devi Phairembam, Gyaneshwor Singh Philem, and Naocha Singh Laitonjam in canoeing and kayaking. Mizoram's Lalremsiami Hmarzote will join the Indian women's hockey team, while Nagaland's Menenu Tsukru and Seyiekhrieno Tepa will compete in sepak takraw.
The Northeast contingent combines seasoned international athletes with emerging talents capable of excelling on major multi-sport platforms.
With Lovlina and Mirabai leading the charge, the performances of Asmita, Jadumani, Roshibina, and others could significantly contribute to the region's medal tally at the Asian Games.
The Games are scheduled from September 19 to October 4, with India aiming to surpass its record of 107 medals achieved at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
India will send a total of 492 athletes, comprising 265 men and 227 women, across 35 sports disciplines.
In contrast to the previous edition, where 661 athletes were sent, this time the Sports Ministry has implemented strict criteria, allowing only those athletes ranked in the top six in Asia in their respective events to participate.
Northeast Athletes at Asian Games 2026
Arunachal Pradesh: Nyeman Wangsu (Wushu); Rupa Bayor (Taekwondo) Assam: Lovlina Borgohain (Boxing) and Isharani Baruah (Badminton); O Amarjit Singha (Sepak Takraw) Manipur: Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, Seram Nirupama Devi (Weightlifting) Naorem Roshibina Devi, Suraj Singh Mayanglambam, Langlentombi Devi Hanjabam (Wushu) Jadumani Singh Mandengbam (Boxing) Soniya Devi Phairembam, Gyaneshwor Singh Philem, Naocha Singh Laitonjam (Canoeing & Kayaking) Mizoram: Lalremsiami Hmarzote (Hockey) Nagaland: Menenu Tsukru and Seyiekhrieno Tepa (Sepak Takraw) Tripura: Asmita Dey (Judo)