COAS Honours Asian Games Medal Winners; Athletes Eye LA Olympics
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth felicitates Indian Army athletes for their historic performance at the Asian Games 2026.
In a grand gesture of recognition, the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Dhiraj Seth, felicitated Indian Army sportspersons on Monday for their stellar achievements at the Asian Games 2026. The ceremony celebrated the athletes' contributions to elevating India's profile on the global sporting stage.
Deepak Punia Breaks 60-Year Medal Drought
Wrestler Deepak Punia, who secured a bronze medal in the men's 97-kg freestyle wrestling category, described the honour from the Chief as a profoundly motivating experience. Punia's achievement is historic, as he became the first Indian to claim a medal in this specific weight category since Bhim Singh won bronze in 1966.
Punia's path to the podium included a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mongolia's Gankhuyag Ganbaatar. Reflecting on the moment, Punia shared his emotions regarding the recognition received from both the Army and the nation.
“The feeling is incredible. The love and respect the country is showering on us are on another level. I met the Chief today, and the respect he showed us made me feel truly special. The Army is giving us so much respect, and having the Chief himself come forward to honour us was a deeply motivating moment for me,” Punia said.
Looking ahead, the wrestler has set his sights on a much larger target. Having faced setbacks in his previous two Olympic appearances, Punia expressed a fierce determination to deliver a standout performance at the Los Angeles Olympics.
Gulveer Singh's Incredible Track Dominance
Track-and-field star Gulveer Singh was also among the celebrated athletes. Singh delivered a marathon performance in Nagoya, competing across five days to secure a remarkable three medals:
- Silver: 1,500m
- Silver: 10,000m
- Bronze: 5,000m
This haul follows his previous success at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Despite the exhaustion of such a rigorous schedule, Singh remains hungry for more. He noted that while there was a sense of disappointment regarding specific aspects of his performance, the medals served as validation for his relentless training regime.
“I dedicate my entire life to the sport and train day and night. I was a little disappointed, but I am happy that all my hard work paid off and I won medals. I will continue to work harder, stay focused on my training and prepare for the next competition,” Singh stated.
The Army's Dominant Contribution
The Indian Army's contingent proved to be a powerhouse during the 2026 Asian Games, playing a pivotal role in India's overall success. The athletes from the Army secured a total of 20 medals, including:
- 6 Gold
- 8 Silver
- 6 Bronze
This impressive tally accounted for nearly 24% of India's total haul of 85 medals. Notably, the Army's gold medal count saw a 100% increase compared to the previous edition of the Asian Games, underscoring the growing strength of military-backed sports programs in the country.