Abhishek Nain Eyes LA Olympics After Historic Asian Games Gold
Indian hockey star Abhishek Nain discusses the historic double gold at the Asian Games and the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Indian hockey sensation Abhishek Nain has revealed that the national team is setting its sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, using the momentum from their recent historic triumphs to fuel their long-term ambitions. Following a monumental performance at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, where both the men’s and women’s squads secured gold medals, the players are now shifting their focus toward the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy.
A Historic Double Gold in Japan
The 2026 Asian Games marked a watershed moment for Indian hockey. The men’s team successfully defended their title with a dominant 5-1 victory over Malaysia, while the women’s team achieved a landmark feat by ending a 44-year drought to claim the gold with a gritty 1-0 win against China.
Reflecting on this achievement, Abhishek Nain expressed the immense pride felt by the entire squad. "It provides immense motivation to win gold for the country; we won two gold medals in hockey, one with the women's team and one with the men's. It is a moment of great pride for us and serves as the first step toward our future targets," Nain stated.
Lessons from the Journey
Nain noted that the path to the podium in Japan was far from easy, characterized by a series of challenges that shaped the players' resilience. He described the experience as a profound learning curve that prepared the team for the rigors of international competition.
"It was a wonderful journey. There were plenty of ups and downs, but I learned and achieved things step by step. So, overall, it was a great journey," Nain added, emphasizing that the psychological boost from the double gold is driving their current training regimens.
The Road to Jalandhar and Los Angeles
The immediate priority for the Indian contingent is the Asian Champions Trophy 2026, which is set to be hosted in the hockey heartlands of Punjab. The tournament, scheduled from October 27 to November 5, will see action across Jalandhar and Mohali.
- October 27 – November 2: League stage matches will be held at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar.
- November 4: The high-stakes semi-finals will move to Mohali.
- November 5: The championship and medal matches will conclude at the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium.
As the defending champions, India enters the tournament with a formidable reputation, having previously secured the title five times. However, Nain made it clear that while the Champions Trophy is a vital stepping stone, the ultimate objective remains much further ahead.
"We have the Asian Champions Trophy coming up in Jalandhar, and we are currently preparing for that. After that, our target is the LA Olympics, so we will focus our preparations on that," Nain confirmed.