India's Hockey Teams Shine at Asian Games, Secure Olympic Qualification

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams have made history by winning gold medals at the Asian Games 2026 and securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics. Captain Harmanpreet Singh expressed pride in the team's achievements, especially after a challenging World Cup. Both teams celebrated their victories, marking a significant moment in Indian sports history as they prepare for the upcoming Olympic challenge. With a focus on improvement and fitness, the players are determined to build on their success and aim for gold in LA.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 6, 2026, 00:15 IST

Celebrating Victory and Olympic Dreams

Upon returning to New Delhi with the gold medal from the Asian Games 2026, Harmanpreet Singh, captain of the Indian men's hockey team, expressed his joy, stating, "It feels really great." He emphasized that the team's direct qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics allows them to focus on specific preparations for the prestigious event.

The Indian men's hockey squad was warmly welcomed at Indira Gandhi International Airport after successfully defending their title in Aichi-Nagoya.

Harmanpreet shared his happiness, saying, "We’ve come back with the medal and we’ve qualified directly for LA [Olympics]." The team triumphed over Malaysia with a score of 5-1 in the final, marking a clean sweep for India in team sports, as the women's hockey team also secured gold.

Reflecting on their journey, Harmanpreet noted that the time leading up to the Olympics would be utilized to enhance their skills and address areas needing improvement. "We’ll focus more on the areas where we need to improve, and definitely keep the gold target in mind," he stated.

The path to gold included a thrilling semi-final against Pakistan, where India won 4-3, with Harmanpreet scoring twice and Abhishek sealing the victory in the final moments.

Veteran player Manpreet Singh, who has now won three Asian Games golds, highlighted the team's resilience, stating, "It was about giving our best from start to finish." He expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform under pressure, even when Pakistan leveled the score.

Manpreet also mentioned that qualifying for the LA 2028 Olympics allows the team to concentrate on self-improvement rather than worrying about qualification.

Midfielder Hardik Singh remarked on the significance of the gold medal, especially following a disappointing World Cup campaign. He praised the women's team for their historic achievement, which ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold.

Defender Jarmanpreet Singh echoed the sentiment, stating that the gold was crucial for the team after the World Cup, and he welcomed the direct Olympic qualification.

Forward Mandeep Singh celebrated the historic achievement of both teams winning gold together, marking a significant moment in Indian hockey history.

India's men's hockey gold is their fifth at the Asian Games, with previous victories in 1966, 1998, 2014, and 2022. The women's gold marked a historic moment, as it was the first time both teams won gold at the same Asian Games edition. With both teams now set for LA 2028, the focus shifts to building on this success and preparing for the Olympic challenge.