Indian Army Athletes Shine at Asian Games 2026: A Tribute to Their Achievements
Celebrating Excellence in Sports
New Delhi, October 12: On Monday, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) honored Indian Army athletes for their remarkable achievements at the Asian Games 2026, acknowledging their vital role in enhancing India's reputation in the global sports arena.
Wrestler Deepak Punia expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the support he has received from both the Army and the nation. He described the recognition from General Dhiraj Seth, the Chief of the Army Staff, as an inspiring experience.
Punia is now setting his sights on the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics, determined to turn around the disappointments from his previous Olympic experiences and deliver a stellar performance.
At the recent Asian Games, Punia secured a bronze medal in the men's 97-kg freestyle wrestling category, marking India's first medal in this category in six decades, since Bhim Singh's bronze in 1966.
"The feeling is incredible. The love and respect the country is showering on us are on another level. I met the Chief today, and the respect he showed us made me feel truly special. The Army is giving us so much respect, and having the Chief himself come forward to honour us was a deeply motivating moment for me," Punia shared.
He added, "Our entire focus will now be on the Los Angeles Olympics. My last two Olympic campaigns did not go as I had hoped, so I am determined to give my best in LA."
Fellow athlete Gulveer Singh also expressed his commitment to his sport, training diligently to reach his aspirations. Despite facing some setbacks, he felt proud of his medal-winning performance and is committed to intensifying his training for future competitions.
Gulveer showcased exceptional talent in track and field at Nagoya, competing four times over five days and earning three medals: silver in the 10,000m and 1,500m, along with bronze in the 5,000m.
This achievement followed his historic two-medal performance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, where he secured silver in the 10,000m and bronze in the 5,000m.
"I dedicate my entire life to the sport and train day and night. I was a little disappointed, but I am happy that all my hard work paid off and I won medals. I will continue to work harder, stay focused on my training and prepare for the next competition," Gulveer stated.
During the Asian Games 2026, Indian Army athletes excelled, bringing home a total of 20 medals, including 6 Gold, 8 Silver, and 6 Bronze, which accounted for nearly 24% of India's overall medal tally of 85.
The Army's six Gold medals represented a remarkable 100% increase compared to their previous Gold medal count at the last Asian Games.