Historic Haul: PM Modi Hails India's 85-Medal Triumph at Asian Games 2026
PM Narendra Modi praises India's historic 85-medal achievement at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, highlighting maiden golds and historic firsts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the extraordinary performance of Indian athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, where the nation secured a massive total of 85 medals. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit 2026 on Thursday, the Prime Minister emphasized that this achievement is not just about the numbers, but about breaking barriers and reaching milestones that India had never touched before.
A Dominant Performance on the Continental Stage
India's presence in Japan was marked by sheer dominance and consistency. The contingent finished fourth in the overall medal standings, bringing home a total of 85 medals, which included 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze. This victory is particularly significant as it marks the second consecutive time that India has finished among the top five nations at the continental event.
Reflecting on his recent interaction with the returning champions, PM Modi stated, “India has won 85 medals this time. Among these, we have achieved several milestones for the first time.”
Breaking New Ground: First-Time Feats
The 2026 edition was a goldmine of "firsts" for Indian sports. The Prime Minister specifically highlighted the historic success of the women's recurve archery team, which clinched both team and individual gold medals for the first time in the country's history.
The boxing ring also saw an unprecedented surge in success. For the first time in a single Asian Games, India managed to secure three gold medals in boxing, showcasing the growing prowess of Indian pugilists on the international stage.
Venturing into New Territories
Beyond the traditional strongholds, India made its mark in sports that were previously unfamiliar to the nation's medal tally:
- Sepak Takraw: In a historic moment, the men's quadrant team secured India's first-ever medal in this sport across both men's and women's categories, winning a bronze.
- Soft Tennis & MMA: India registered its maiden medals in both soft tennis and mixed martial arts (MMA).
- Women's Trap: The contingent secured its first-ever gold medal in the women's trap event.
Ending Decades of Waiting
The Aichi-Nagoya Games were not just about new sports, but about reclaiming glory in disciplines where India had faced long droughts.
In weightlifting, a silver medal was won, effectively ending a grueling 28-year wait for an Asian Games medal in the sport. Even more striking was the achievement in Greco-Roman wrestling, where a silver medal ended a massive 64-year hiatus for an Indian finalist in the event.
Double Gold in Hockey
Adding to the glory, the hockey turf witnessed a rare and proud moment as both the men's and women's hockey teams managed to secure gold medals in the same edition of the games, cementing India's status as a powerhouse in the sport.
PM Modi praised the young athletes for their grit and determination, noting that their outstanding performances have contributed significantly to the overarching success of Indian sports.