The Indian senior women's rugby sevens team is undergoing a national camp in Kolkata to prepare for the upcoming Asian Games in Nagoya. Coach Terence Joseph and Captain Shikha Yadav emphasise execution, consistency, and building on recent form against strong Pool B opponents like China and Hong Kong China.
Sri Lankan javelin thrower Rumesh Pathirage faces a significant setback for the upcoming Asian Games after five of his "winning" javelins were damaged during air travel from Budapest. Pathirage, a favourite for gold, had used these specific javelins for his record-breaking throws and recent victories, including beating Neeraj Chopra.
The Karnataka government has significantly increased cash awards for Asian Games medallists, with gold winners now receiving Rs 1 crore. Additionally, all 20 participating athletes received a Rs 5 lakh incentive. The state also announced direct recruitment opportunities for Group-B posts and a 2% reservation in government jobs for accomplished sportspersons, alongside financial support for Olympic preparation under the 'Guri: Olympics' scheme.
Indian table tennis player Diya Chitale, fresh off winning an Asian Games mixed doubles bronze with Manush Shah, views the medal as a crucial step towards Olympic qualification. She highlighted the importance of mental preparation and an aggressive strategy, which helped them defeat a higher-ranked Hong Kong pair. Chitale aims to improve world rankings through upcoming WTT tournaments and the World Championships.
The Sports Ministry has rescheduled its review meeting with National Sports Federations to October 15 to discuss India's performance at the recently concluded Asian Games. The focus will be on the underwhelming show of experienced athletes in sports like badminton, shooting, and athletics, following a lower medal count compared to the previous edition.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi announced that the Centre and Union Sports Ministry are fully supporting Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar's urgent surgery in London. Sreeshankar, who won a silver at the Asian Games but sustained an injury, will undergo ligament reconstruction on October 13, with the Centre covering all costs to ensure his return to competition and preparation for the Olympics. The athlete had previously expressed disappointment over the lack of support from the Kerala state government.
Indian shooters bound for the Asian Games will participate in preparatory camps in Delhi and Bhopal this month. These camps, focusing on mental conditioning and technical refinement, are crucial for the athletes to achieve peak performance at the quadrennial event in Japan, which begins on September 19. The article also lists the full shooting squad.
Indian discus thrower Seema Kaliramna discusses the emotional challenges of balancing motherhood with her sporting career, as she prepares for the Asian Games after winning bronze at the Commonwealth Games.
Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is set to compete in the Asian Games, aiming to secure her first medal at the event. Despite an Olympic silver and world title, an Asian Games medal remains the only major honour missing from her collection, making this a crucial competition for her.
Indian Olympic Association president PT Usha announced the institution of two new memorial awards: the Raja Randhir Singh Trophy for the best male athlete and the Jaspal Rana Trophy for the best female athlete at the Asian Games. These awards honour the significant contributions of the late sports administrator Raja Randhir Singh and renowned pistol coach Jaspal Rana to Indian sports. Usha also addressed accommodation concerns for Indian athletes at the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
India's Asian Games medal-winning boxers, including gold medallists Ankush Panghal, Parveen Hooda, and Lovlina Borgohain, received a grand welcome at the New Delhi airport. The team's performance, securing three golds and three bronzes, was lauded by BFI president Ajay Singh and coach Santiago Nieva, highlighting their strong preparation for the upcoming Olympics.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Bengaluru has introduced Japanese cuisine into its athletes' diet plan to help them adapt to food culture ahead of the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. This initiative aims to prevent performance issues caused by dietary struggles, as observed in past international events, and involves a gradual introduction of dishes and strict adherence to nutritional and safety standards.
The Sports Ministry has approved the late inclusion of two Boccia athletes, Sachin Chamaria and Anjali Devi, into India's contingent for the Aichi-Nagoya Para Asian Games, bringing the total athlete count to 168. The overall contingent, including 113 officials, now stands at 281. This year's team is smaller than the previous Games due to the absence of certain disciplines and strict quota restrictions, particularly in para athletics. India aims to build on its record-breaking 108-medal haul from the last edition.
The Sports Ministry is set to review India's performance at the recent Asian Games on October 13. The focus will be on the underwhelming results of experienced athletes in sports like badminton, shooting, and athletics.
Vidarsa K Vinod has made history by becoming the first woman from Keralam to win an Asian Games medal in shooting, securing a silver in the women's 10m air rifle team event in Japan.
India's men's hockey team has secured a direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics by winning the Asian Games gold. Skipper Harmanpreet Singh and other players emphasize focusing on the process and utilizing the extended preparation time to perform well at the Games, reflecting on their successful Asian Games campaign, including a tough semifinal against Pakistan.
Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won a silver medal in the women's 49kg event at the Asian Games, ending a 12-year wait for this prestigious honour. This marks India's first Asian Games weightlifting medal since 1998, adding to Chanu's impressive collection of Olympic, World, and Commonwealth medals.
Veteran wushu player Roshibina Devi on Thursday said she would ignore the accusations of mental harassment made against her by fellow player Divyanshi Choudhary in the selection controversy just ahead of the Asian Games.
Indian shooters Suruchi Inder Singh and Kamaljeet overcame initial disappointments at the Asian Games to clinch India's first shooting gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. Both athletes had faced setbacks in their individual qualifications but rallied together, setting a Games and Asian record score of 484.6 to defeat South Korea. Their victory marks a significant turnaround and a testament to their resilience and teamwork.
A national shotgun coach, involved in India's Asian Games preparations, is under scrutiny by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for alleged conflict of interest. The complaint, filed by an unsuccessful bidder, concerns the coach reportedly seeking a contract to build a shooting range in Chennai. This probe could impact the coach's participation in the upcoming Asian Games, while the NRAI states it has no knowledge of such activities.
Indian shooter Vidarsa Vinod, making her Asian Games debut at 27, secured a silver medal in the women's 10m air rifle team event. Despite missing an individual final, Vinod maintained a calm demeanour, treating the continental stage like any other competition. Her journey from an NCC cadet to an international medallist highlights her rapid progression and adaptability, especially as she only recently started training in the 10m air rifle discipline.
Indian boxers are undergoing intensive training at a multinational camp in Patiala, featuring international medallists, before heading to Japan for a final preparatory stint ahead of the Asian Games. The team aims to build on its strong performance at the Commonwealth Games, despite anticipating tougher competition from boxing powerhouses like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan at the upcoming continental event.
The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony featuring a dazzling light and musical show, celebrating Japan's culture and hospitality. The event saw over 350 records broken, including 50 world records, and marked the official handover to Doha for the 2030 Games. India finished fourth in the medal tally with 85 medals.
Legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has expressed his support for the Indian golf contingent heading to the Asian Games in Japan, encouraging them to play fearlessly and draw inspiration from representing the nation. He highlighted the talent and experience of the six-member team and urged them to compete with confidence and pride.
Indian wushu player Roshibina Devi won a silver medal at the Asian Games, her second consecutive silver and third overall medal at the continental event. She addressed the controversy surrounding her inclusion in the squad, stating it was the federation's decision and not her fault, while also highlighting the need for Indian players to improve mental fortitude against Chinese dominance.
Soft tennis player Jay Meena, marathon runner Sawan Barwal, and air pistol shooter Kamaljeet share their personal journeys and challenges leading up to their medal wins at the Asian Games. Meena recounts how school rustication led him to soft tennis and his struggle with quarterfinal defeats. Barwal discusses the mental pressure of switching to marathon running, while Kamaljeet reflects on injury setbacks and the pressure of securing India's first shooting gold at the Games.
The Indian athletics team will undergo an acclimatisation camp at the University of Tsukuba near Tokyo before the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. This follows an MoU between SAI and the University. Athletes are also returning from Czech Republic for a training stint and an event in Bhubaneswar, though Neeraj Chopra will not participate. The Athletics Federation of India has already submitted a list of over 72 athletes for the Games to the Indian Olympic Association.
Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has finally secured an Asian Games medal, winning silver in the women's 49kg event in Nagoya. This achievement marks India's first weightlifting medal at the Asian Games since 1998 and completes Chanu's impressive collection of accolades, including an Olympic silver and World Championship titles.
Indian wrestlers secured a six-medal haul, including two golds, at the Asian Games in Nagoya, overcoming injuries and form slumps. Gold medallists Aman Sehrawat and Sujeet Kalkal, along with silver winners Nitesh Siwach and Antim Panghal, and bronze medallists Deepak Punia and Sunil Kumar, are now setting their sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, expressing determination to bring home more glory.
Indian squash players Joshna Chinappa, Velavan Senthilkumar, Anahat Singh, and Abhay Singh have secured at least three medals at the Asian Games by advancing to the semifinals in mixed doubles and singles events. Joshna Chinappa, playing in her record seventh Asian Games, and Senthilkumar dominated their mixed doubles quarterfinal. Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh also delivered strong performances in their respective singles quarterfinals, with Anahat aiming for an Olympic berth.
Indian shooters, including Asian Games gold medallists Neeru Dhanda and Suruchi Singh, are attending a preparatory camp in New Delhi for the upcoming ISSF World Championship in Doha. This championship is crucial as it marks the beginning of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics qualification cycle.
Frenchman Samai Reboul, coach of the Indian national surfing team, views India's Asian Games debut as a crucial step towards qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The team, comprising two men and two women, is preparing in Mahabalipuram for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where surfing makes its continental debut and offers Olympic quota places.
Vidarsa K Vinod has become the first female sportsperson from Keralam to win a medal in a shooting event, securing a silver in the women's 10 meter air rifle team event at the 20th Asian Games. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the state and for Vinod, who began shooting in 2018.
The Indian men's cricket team is facing kit sizing issues and accommodation concerns ahead of their departure for the Asian Games. While most kit problems are being resolved, the BCCI has proactively arranged its own hotel for the team in Nagoya, Japan, due to reported delays and inadequate facilities for other athletes.
Indian Asian Games medallists expressed boosted confidence after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who encouraged them to aim for bigger goals at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Athletes like Lovlina Borgohain, Nethra Kumanan, and Vithya Ramraj highlighted Modi's vision for Indian sports, including hosting major events, and the positive impact of improved facilities and support.
Commonwealth Games gold-medallist judoka Asmita Dey is intensely preparing for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, acknowledging the significantly tougher competition, especially from Japanese judokas. She is focusing on improving her ground fighting techniques (Ne-Waza) and draws inspiration from Japanese Olympic champion Uta Abe to secure a medal for India.
Star Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu has secured a silver medal in the women's 49kg event at the Asian Games, ending a 12-year pursuit for the prestigious continental honour. This marks India's first weightlifting medal at the Asian Games since 1998, adding to Chanu's impressive collection which includes an Olympic silver.
Indian wrestling coach Virender Dahiya and wrestler Antim Panghal have expressed strong confidence in the national team's preparation and potential for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Dahiya believes the team will significantly improve on its previous medal tally, while Panghal highlights the strong team cohesion and gold medal aspirations. The squad features a mix of experienced and young talent, aiming to overcome strong regional competitors.
Indian tennis experienced a significant disappointment at the recent Asian Games, failing to secure any medals for the first time since 1986. The campaign concluded with Sumit Nagal's quarterfinal exit in men's singles, alongside early exits for key doubles pairs. Coaches and officials acknowledge the high level of competition and the need for better support and development of the next generation of players to avoid similar outcomes in future tournaments.
Star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana discusses the team's future aspirations after securing a second consecutive Asian Games gold medal. She emphasises the need for continuous improvement over the next two years to prepare for the tougher competition expected at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, highlighting the unique pride of contributing to India's overall medal tally.
