India’s Gold Rush in Asian Games

October 5, 2026

The performance of Indian athletes at this Asian Games is akin to reaching golden heights. Often, when a large Indian contingent participates in the Olympic Games, India’s name appears somewhat lost in the medal tally. However, this time, the performance of Indian athletes at the Asian Games has been commendable. So far, India has won a total of 85 medals, including 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze medals. India has now reached fourth place in the medal tally. On Saturday, both the Indian cricket and hockey teams displayed their charisma. India faced Pakistan in the T20 cricket final of the Asian Games. India scored 211 runs and defeated Pakistan by 19 runs, winning the cricket gold medal at the Asian Games for the second consecutive time. During the Indian innings, when it seemed the score wouldn’t go above 150-155, Tilak Varma and Shivam Dubey batted aggressively in the final five overs. Tilak Varma scored a half-century in just 21 balls. Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar remarked that this was the Asian Championship, while our team was the reigning world champion and played at the same level. Similarly, the Indian men’s hockey team defeated Malaysia by a comprehensive 5-1 margin in the final. Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh scored two goals from penalty corners in the 11th and 57th minutes. Hardik, Jugrat, and Shilanand scored one goal each. The men’s hockey team secured a gold medal and a berth for the 2028 Olympic Games. Along with hockey and cricket, India also won gold medals in archery, golf, and wrestling on Saturday. Earlier on Friday, India’s women’s hockey team ended a 44-year drought with a 1-0 win over China to win the gold medal at the Asian Women’s Hockey Championships and secure direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Lalremsiami scored India’s lone goal. The spirit of this Indian hockey player from Mizoram cannot be praised enough. Seven years ago, during the FIH Series Finals in Hiroshima, Japan, Lalremsiami learned of her father’s death. Instead of turning back, she continued playing through tears. Today, India won the Asian Games hockey gold medal thanks to this player’s goal. Haryana players have been performing exceptionally well in the matches played so far. Many players in the Indian women’s hockey team, including goalkeeper Savita Punia, are from Haryana. On Friday, the Indian women’s recurve archery team won the gold medal in which Kirti Sharma of Jind district, along with two of her teammates, defeated ten-time Olympic champion South Korea 5-1. Praveen Hooda of Rohtak district of Haryana won the gold medal in the 65 kg category in boxing. Boxer Ankush Panghal of Bheriya village of Hisar district of Haryana won the gold medal in the 80 kg category. Undoubtedly, India holds its head high at the Asian Games, and it’s also true that Haryana’s athletes dominate most competitions. But why do athletes from other states lag behind? India is a nation of youth, so athletes from every state should have adequate access to proper playgrounds, sports equipment, and coaches so they can practice freely. If an athlete demonstrates their talent with excellence, they should receive substantial rewards from both the central and state governments, so that their financial situation is strengthened and they can practice sports freely in the future