Transport Delays Impact Shooting Athletes at Asian Games 2026
Transport Issues for Shooting Contingents
On the morning of September 30, shooting athletes from various nations encountered significant transport disruptions in Nagoya due to a road accident. This incident resulted in delays for official shuttle buses, leaving many competitors stranded at their hotels.
Two shooting competitions were scheduled at the Aichi Prefectural General Shooting Gallery: the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol Stage 1 and the mixed team trap events. The Indian pair, Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai, excelled in the trap mixed team event, securing a gold medal with a record score of 34.
As the shooting events approach their conclusion, the men's 25m rapid-fire pistol Stage 1 took place on Wednesday, while the trap mixed team event had already wrapped up, marking India's ninth gold medal at this continental competition.
Logistical Challenges at the Asian Games
The Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya have faced criticism regarding logistics, athlete accommodations, and transportation arrangements. The recent transport mishap has added to the stress for athletes gearing up for crucial medal competitions.
Reports indicate that shooters from multiple countries were left waiting in hotel lobbies due to a traffic accident that caused severe congestion, delaying their scheduled departures. Although the shooters were prepared to leave by 8:40 am, the shuttle bus did not arrive until after 8:45 am, resulting in extended wait times.
The traffic jam caused by the accident near the shooting venue trapped the official shuttle buses, hindering the timely transport of athletes to the event.
Indian Sports Ministry Steps In
In response to the delays, the Indian Sports Ministry intervened by arranging private transportation for the shooting team, ensuring that Indian athletes could reach the venue punctually without relying solely on the delayed official shuttles.
Previously, Pakistan's volleyball captain, Murad Jehan, had also criticized the event organizers for logistical errors, noting that their bus had taken them to the incorrect venue for their match against Uzbekistan.
India's Success on Day 11 of the Asian Games
Despite the morning's transport chaos, India's determination for medals remained unshaken. The shooting duo of Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai delivered an outstanding performance, clinching the gold medal.
This victory marked India's third gold and the 15th overall in shooting, bolstering the nation's medal count at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Indian archers have also played a vital role in enhancing India's medal tally, alongside athletes from other sports.
On Day 11, the Indian archery team achieved a remarkable feat by winning three gold medals in the compound mixed team, women's compound team, and men's compound team events, completing a historic sweep of all three compound archery golds.
With four gold medals on this day, India's total medal count has reached 59, comprising 10 gold, 21 silver, and several bronze medals, placing the country seventh in the overall standings, while China, Japan, and South Korea lead the medal tally.