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Prime Minister Narendra Modi met members of India’s contingent from the 2026 Asian Games at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi on October 15, recognising the athletes, coaches and support staff following the country’s strong campaign in Japan.
The interaction brought together members of the Indian sporting contingent after India secured fourth place in the medal standings at the Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games, winning 85 medals across multiple disciplines.
The Prime Minister also addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of the athletes’ achievements and the contribution of sport to national pride.
India concluded its Asian Games campaign with 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze. The result kept India among the top five nations for a second consecutive edition of the continental multi-sport event.
The medal tally reflected contributions from athletes competing in a wide range of disciplines, including athletics, archery, hockey, wrestling, shooting and other sports.
The achievement also followed India’s record-breaking performance at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, where the country won 106 medals.
India’s 2026 campaign featured several notable firsts and long-awaited achievements.
Both the Indian men’s and women’s hockey teams won gold medals at the same edition of the Asian Games, underlining the strength of the country’s hockey programme.
Indian archers delivered historic performances in recurve events, while the country also secured maiden Asian Games medals in soft tennis and mixed martial arts.
In shooting, India won its first-ever Asian Games gold in the women’s trap event. Weightlifting produced a silver medal, ending a 28-year wait for an Indian silver in the discipline at the Games.
India also won a silver medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, marking a significant breakthrough after a 64-year gap since an Indian wrestler last reached an Asian Games final in the style.
The programme included athletes from the Indian contingent, along with their coaches and support staff. Officials from the Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports were also expected to attend.
The meeting provided an opportunity to recognise the collective effort behind India’s performance, from athletes competing on the field to the coaches and support teams responsible for preparation and performance.
India’s finish among the leading nations at the Games also reflects the importance of developing talent across different sports and providing athletes with opportunities to compete at the highest level.
India’s fourth-place finish offers a foundation for the next phase of its international sporting ambitions. The breadth of medal-winning performances across disciplines demonstrates the importance of sustained investment in coaching, infrastructure, grassroots participation and athlete development.
For athletes returning from Aichi–Nagoya, the experience also provides valuable preparation for upcoming international competitions and future multi-sport events.
The Prime Minister’s interaction with the contingent marked a public recognition of the effort behind India’s 85-medal campaign and the athletes who represented the country in Japan.
Sources: Prime Minister’s Office, Press Information Bureau and contemporaneous reporting by The Times of India.
