"World is witnessing India taking giant leap in sports": Brajesh Pathak
Brajesh Pathak hails India's 85-medal haul at the Asian Games 2026, celebrating historic wins in cricket, hockey, and kabaddi.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has lauded the remarkable performance of Indian athletes at the recently concluded Asian Games 2026, asserting that the nation's global progress is clearly mirrored in its sporting achievements. India concluded its campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a significant 85-medal haul, securing 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze medals to finish fourth in the overall standings.
A Global Rise in Sporting Prowess
Speaking to reporters, Pathak emphasized that the current momentum in Indian sports is a direct result of strategic national focus. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for elevating the sporting landscape through increased budgets and the development of world-class infrastructure.
"The way Indian athletes have demonstrated their prowess at the Asian Games is remarkable," Pathak stated. "Today, India is advancing rapidly across all sectors on the global stage. The Prime Minister has consistently promoted sports; the sports budget has been increased, athletes are being provided with facilities meeting international standards, and they are even being directly recruited into high-ranking positions."
He further noted that the morale of Indian athletes is at an all-time high, adding, "The entire world is witnessing India taking a giant leap forward in the realm of sports as well."
Cricket Glory: Defeating Pakistan for Gold
The tournament saw high-octane drama, particularly in cricket, where India achieved a historic "golden double." The men's team secured the gold medal after a thrilling victory over Pakistan, winning by 19 runs in the final. The triumph was fueled by standout performances from Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel.
BJP MP Manan Kumar Mishra expressed immense pride in the cricket victory, noting that defeating Pakistan to claim the top spot among Asian teams was a moment of great joy for the entire nation. This men's victory followed the women's team's dominant performance, where they defeated Sri Lanka by 147 runs to claim their gold.
Dominance in Kabaddi and Hockey
India's campaign was characterized by a clean sweep in several key disciplines, including cricket, kabaddi, and hockey, winning all six available gold medals in the men's and women's categories for these sports.
Kabaddi Mastery
In kabaddi, the Indian women's team successfully defended their title by defeating Iran 37-34. The men's team also showed incredible resilience, coming from behind to beat Iran 40-34. This marked India's ninth gold in ten editions of the men's team event since its inclusion in 1990.
Historic Hockey Double
The hockey arena witnessed unprecedented success as both the men's and women's teams secured gold, marking the first time in the history of the Asian Games that both genders have won gold in the same edition. This achievement also guaranteed qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
- Women's Hockey: Ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games medal by defeating China 1-0, thanks to a 10th-minute goal by Lalremsiami.
- Men's Hockey: Successfully defended their title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia, marking their fifth gold in the event.
While the 85-medal total was lower than the record 106 medals achieved at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, the Aichi-Nagoya campaign was defined by several historic breakthroughs and record-breaking performances across multiple disciplines.