Haryana Athletes Gear Up for Asian Games 2026 in Japan

Haryana's Representation at the Asian Games

On September 19, Haryana's Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam expressed his heartfelt wishes to the state's athletes heading to the Asian Games 2026. A total of 80 sportspersons from Haryana will proudly represent India at this prestigious multi-sport event.

In a statement to the press, Gautam emphasized the pride these athletes will carry as they represent India in Japan, expressing his confidence in their abilities to perform well.

He stated, "The Asian Games kick off today, with 80 athletes from Haryana participating. They will proudly wave the Indian tricolor in Japan and return home with medals."

The 20th Asian Games commenced in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Saturday and will run until October 4, featuring athletes from various Asian nations competing in numerous sports.

Haryana has consistently been a significant contributor to India's success in sports, particularly in wrestling, boxing, athletics, and shooting.

Notably, Kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat and Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker led the Indian delegation during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

The ceremony, held at the Paloma Mizuho Stadium, marked the official start 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 previous Asian Games, had the honor of carrying the Tricolor alongside Bhaker, a celebrated double Olympic medalist.

Bhaker, who secured two bronze medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is set to 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 shared her emotions about being chosen as a flag bearer, reflecting on her journey in the sport. "When I learned about this honor, I was flooded with memories of my early days in shooting. I never imagined I would reach this point in my career. It’s truly a heartwarming experience, and I feel incredibly proud and grateful for the support I've received," she expressed.

India aims to surpass its performance from the 2022 Asian Games, where the country achieved a historic total of 107 medals, including 28 gold, 38 silver, and 41 bronze.