India Eyes Medals and Olympic Spots at Asian Games 2026

As the Asian Games 2026 unfolds, India is poised for a strong performance across various sports, including archery, hockey, and boxing. With several athletes competing for medals and Olympic qualifications, the excitement is palpable. Key events include the compound mixed team semi-final and the women's hockey semi-final against South Korea. Athletes like Neeru Dhanda and Priya Ghanghas are also set to showcase their skills. This article delves into India's medal prospects and the athletes to watch as they aim for glory in Aichi-Nagoya.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 30, 2026, 02:24 IST

India's Medal Aspirations at Asian Games 2026

On September 30, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, India is set to seize multiple opportunities for medals and Olympic qualifications at the Asian Games 2026. The focus will be on events such as compound archery, hockey, shooting, boxing, and wrestling.

Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav are gearing up for the compound mixed team semi-final against Thailand, where the champions will secure a quota for the LA 2028 Olympics. Additionally, India is expected to contend for medals in both the men's and women's compound team events on Day 11, as reported by Olympics.com.

The women's hockey team is scheduled to face South Korea in the semi-finals, with a victory paving the way for direct qualification to the LA Olympics 2028. Neeru Dhanda, fresh off her individual gold medal win, will team up with Kynan Chenai in the trap mixed team event.

In boxing, athletes Priya Ghanghas, Lovlina Borgohain, and Kapil Pokhariya are aiming for gold medal matches, while India's wrestling journey kicks off with Nisha Dahiya and Sunil Kumar competing. Other medal hopefuls will participate in judo, canoe slalom, squash, track cycling, and tennis.

India's compound archery teams are poised for success, with Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Prithika Pradeep, and Chikitha Taniparthi set to face South Korea in the women's team semi-final at 5:55 AM, followed by potential bronze and gold medal matches. The mixed team semi-final featuring Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav against Thailand is scheduled for 7:55 AM, with medal matches to follow. The men's team, including Sahil Jadhav, Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru, and Kushal Dalal, will compete against South Korea at 10:55 AM.

In boxing, Priya Ghanghas will take on China's Yang Chengyu in the women's 60kg semi-final at 10:15 AM, while Lovlina Borgohain faces Kazakhstan's Natalya Bogdanova in the women's 75kg semi-final at 10:45 AM. Kapil Pokhariya will compete against Uzbekistan's Turabek Khabibullaev in the men's 90kg semi-final at 12:00 PM.

The Indian women's hockey team will clash with South Korea in the semi-final at 3:30 PM, with a win crucial for their hopes of direct qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics.

In shooting, gold medalist Neeru Dhanda returns to compete in the trap mixed team qualification alongside Kynan Chenai at 6:30 AM, with the final set for 11:00 AM if they qualify. Anish Bhanwala will also participate in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol qualification starting at 6:10 AM.

India's wrestling campaign kicks off with Nisha Dahiya in the women's 68kg opening round against DPR Korea's Pak Sol Gum at 7:00 AM. Asian Games medallist Sunil Kumar will compete in the men's Greco-Roman 87kg event, with medal matches to follow if they advance.

In squash, the women's team, including Anahat Singh, Joshna Chinappa, Tanvi Khanna, and Shameena Riaz, will face Singapore in the quarter-finals at 6:30 AM, while the men's team of Abhay Singh, Veer Chotrani, Velavan Senthilkumar, and Suraj Kumar Chand will take on Kuwait at 11:00 AM.

In tennis, Sumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh will compete in the men's singles third round, while Indian pairs will participate in the men's doubles quarter-finals. Anirudh Chandrasekar and N Sriram Balaji will face China's Jiang Fumin and Zhang Tianhui, while Yuki Bhambri and Dhakshineswar Suresh will take on Chinese Taipei's Ho Chenjui and Hsu Yu-hsiou. Yuki Bhambri and Rutuja Bhosale will also compete in the mixed doubles third round.

India will also be represented in canoe slalom, cycling, judo, sailing, sport climbing, esports, golf, and sepaktakraw. Pradhyumna Singh Rathod, Hitesh Kewat, Rina Sen, and Pallavi Jagtap will compete in canoe slalom semi-finals, while Asmita Dey begins her judo women's 48kg campaign. Sarita Kumari and Keerthi Rangaswamy Chikka will participate in track cycling, and Joga Purty will compete in sport climbing.

The day will also feature Indian athletes in golf, sailing, and esports, with the Indian League of Legends team facing Hong Kong China, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei in Group B matches.