President Murmu Recognises Indian Athletes' Achievements at Asian Games 2026

New Delhi: President Droupadi Murmu has praised Indian athletes for their remarkable achievements at the Asian Games 2026, stating that their hard work has brought honour to the nation. In a message shared on the social media platform X, she highlighted that the athletes represented Bharat with dedication and commitment.

India concluded the Games held in Aichi-Nagoya with a total of 85 medals, comprising 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze. Although the medal tally was less than the record of 106 medals achieved during the previous Hangzhou Games in 2023, this year’s event showcased significant triumphs across multiple disciplines. The clean sweep in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey marked the event's standout performances.

President Murmu expressed her congratulations to all medalists, particularly commending the efforts of women athletes. "The Asian Games 2026 have witnessed outstanding performances of our athletes. The nation is proud of every member of the Indian contingent who represented Bharat with dedication and commitment. My best wishes to all our sportspersons for continued success in their sporting journeys and for many more achievements," she stated.

India's fourth-place finish in the overall medal standings was historic, especially with both men's and women's teams winning gold in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey. In cricket, the women's team achieved victory against Sri Lanka, while the men secured their gold by defeating Pakistan.

Kabaddi teams also claimed gold medals; the women’s team defended their title by winning against Iran, and the men's team triumphed over Iran as well, marking a record of nine gold medals since kabaddi became a men's team sport at the Asian Games.

In hockey, the women’s team ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold by defeating China, while the men’s team defended their title against Malaysia, making it the first time in history that both teams secured gold in the same edition.

Additionally, Indian archers stood out with a collection of nine medals, including five golds. Seventeen-year-old Kumkum Mohod emerged as a significant figure by winning an individual gold in the women’s recurve event, becoming the first Indian to achieve this feat at the Asian Games.

Boxing also shone with three golds and three bronzes, with Lovlina Borgohain achieving a gold in her category on her birthday. Wrestling contributed six medals to India’s tally, including two golds in the men’s freestyle events. This year’s Asian Games highlighted India's dedication and improving stature in various sports, continuing a trend of achievements from previous editions.