Asian Games 2026: India eyes more medals across disciplines on action-packed day
ANI|
Updated: Sep 23, 2026 05:27 IST
Verified Report
Share Story:
Mirabai Chanu (File Photo/ANI)
Get the fastest news alerts directly on your WhatsApp.
Join WhatsApp ChannelAichi-Nagoya [Japan], September 23 (ANI): Olympic medallists Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu will headline India's campaign on a packed day at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on Wednesday, with shooting, weightlifting, badminton and several other disciplines offering medal opportunities, according to Olympics.com.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker will compete in the women's 10m air pistol event, aiming to add an Asian Games medal to her growing list of achievements. The Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist had missed out on an individual medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and will look to make a strong comeback at the continental event.
Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Mirabai Chanu will also be in focus as she takes the stage in the women's 49kg weightlifting category. Chanu narrowly missed out on a medal at Hangzhou 2023, finishing fourth after an injury prevented her from completing her final clean and jerk attempt.
Coming into the event after winning gold at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Chanu will look to carry her momentum and secure a podium finish at the Asian Games, the only major multi-sport event where she is yet to win a medal.
Shooting will provide more medal chances for India, with the skeet shooters completing their three-day qualification rounds. Anantjeet Singh Naruka will be among the shooters to watch after recovering strongly on the second day following a difficult opening round.
The Indian men's badminton team will face a tough challenge against the People's Republic of China in the semi-finals. Lakshya Sen and his teammates secured a medal for India after defeating Japan in the quarter-finals and will now aim to book a place in the gold medal match.
Squash will also begin its campaign at Aichi-Nagoya, with Indian players featuring in singles first-round matches. Anahat Singh, who has received a bye, will begin her campaign from Thursday. The singles events at the Asian Games serve as a qualification pathway for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with quotas available for the men's and women's champions.
Wushu player Roshibina Devi will compete in the women's 60kg sanda semi-finals, where she is assured of winning her third individual Asian Games medal in three appearances.
Indian teams will also continue their hockey and kabaddi group-stage campaigns, while boxer Ankush will compete in the men's 80kg category. Swimming will also offer medal opportunities for Indian athletes on Wednesday.
With several medal contenders in action, India will look to build on its campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as the competition enters another crucial phase. (ANI)
Share Story:
More In Sports
SportsSep 26, 2026, 12:30 PM IST
Asian Games 2026: India’s athletics contingent shines with multiple gold and silver medals
Indian athletes delivered stellar performances at the Asian Games 2026, securing gold and silver medals across track and field events.
ANIRead Story →
Sep 23, 2026 06:18 IST
New Zealand announce 16-member T20I squad for India series, Santner to lead
New Zealand have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against India, with a seven-strong pace attack headlining the first BLACKCAPS squad of the home summer.
ANIRead Story →
Sep 23, 2026 06:10 IST
"Proud moment for Indian cricket": VVS Laxman hails women’s team after Asian Games gold
Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman congratulated the Indian women's cricket team after it won the gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, calling the achievement a proud moment for Indian cricket.
ANIRead Story →
Sep 23, 2026 05:52 IST
Denish Das named captain as Assam announces squad for first two Ranji Trophy matches
The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) on Tuesday announced its squad for the first two matches of the Ranji Trophy 2026-27 season, with Denish Das named captain of the Senior Men's Cricket Team.
ANIRead Story →