Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Indian contingent for its performance at the Asian Games 2026, praising the athletes for representing the country with determination, passion and sporting spirit.
India finished fourth at the Aichi-Nagoya Games with 85 medals, comprising 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze, recording its second-highest medal tally in Asian Games history.
“As the Asian Games 2026 draw to a close, my compliments to every member of the Indian contingent for representing our nation with determination, passion and remarkable sporting spirit,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
The Prime Minister congratulated the medal winners, saying their performances had brought “immense joy” to the nation.
“Congratulations to all our medal winners, whose performances have brought immense joy to the nation,” he said.
PM Modi also expressed hope that the performances in Aichi-Nagoya would inspire greater achievements in the coming years and contribute to strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem at the grassroots level.
“May these games inspire even greater achievements in the years ahead. May they contribute to strengthening sports at the grassroots too,” he added.
India’s campaign in Japan featured several historic achievements and successful title defences across disciplines.
The men’s and women’s cricket teams retained their Asian Games titles, while both kabaddi teams also won gold medals. The men’s hockey team defended its title with a 5-1 victory over Malaysia, while the women’s team ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold by defeating China 1-0 in the final.
India also recorded several landmark individual performances. Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games gold in golf, while 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod became the first Indian woman to win an individual recurve gold medal at the continental event.
Lovlina Borgohain joined an elite group of Indian women by becoming only the second after Mary Kom to win an Asian Games boxing gold.
Athletics emerged as India’s biggest medal contributor with 24 medals, followed by shooting with 15. Archery was the country’s most successful sport in terms of gold medals, producing five top finishes.
(IANS Inputs)
