Neeraj Chopra Sends Best Wishes to Indian Athletes at Asian Games 2026

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has extended his best wishes to the Indian athletes participating in the Asian Games 2026, expressing confidence in their ability to make the nation proud. Despite his own absence due to injury, Chopra's encouragement resonates as India prepares to compete in various sports. The opening ceremony featured Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker leading the contingent. Bhaker, reflecting on her journey, expressed pride in being a flag bearer. India aims to surpass its previous medal tally from 2022, making this event a significant moment for the athletes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 19, 2026, 23:57 IST

Neeraj Chopra's Encouragement for Team India

On September 19, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra expressed his heartfelt wishes to the Indian athletes gearing up for the Asian Games 2026. He conveyed his confidence that the athletes would bring pride to the nation.

Chopra took to the social media platform X to share his message, stating, "All my best wishes to the #TeamIndia at the Asian Games 2026! I’m sure they will all make us proud."

All my best wishes to the #TeamIndia at the Asian Games 2026! I’m sure they will all make us proud

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) September 19, 2026

The upcoming Asian Games are set to take place in Nagoya and Aichi, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. Indian athletes will participate in various sports, aiming to improve upon their past performances in this prestigious event.

Chopra, who clinched gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics in javelin throw, has been a prominent figure in Indian sports. Unfortunately, he will not compete in the 2026 Asian Games due to an ankle ligament injury sustained during training, which has sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

In other news, Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker led the Indian team during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday.

The ceremony, held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, marked the official commencement of the 20th Asian Games, with India represented by a contingent of 503 athletes across 36 sports. Sehrawat, who was part of India's gold-medal-winning kabaddi team in the last Asian Games, had the honor of carrying the national flag alongside Bhaker, a celebrated double Olympic medalist.

Bhaker, who earned two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will compete in the women's 10m air pistol, women's 25m pistol, and the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team events. She made history in Paris by becoming the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympic edition.

In a heartfelt video message prior to the ceremony, Bhaker expressed her joy at being selected as a flag bearer, reminiscing about her journey in the sport and the milestones she has achieved.

"Honestly, when I found out yesterday, I had all these flashback memories of my earlier days. And, you know, when I started, I never thought that this was where I could reach one day in my sport. So, it is definitely a very heartwarming feeling. I feel really proud, really honoured, and really, really happy to be chosen as the flag bearer for my country. I just want to say thank you to God and thank you to everyone for all the love and support," she shared.

India aims to surpass its record from the 2022 edition, where the country secured an impressive 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze.