PM Modi Praises Indian Athletes as Team India Signs Off with 85 Medals
PM Modi congratulates Team India for securing 85 medals at the Asian Games 2026, highlighted by a clean sweep in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian contingent following a stellar performance at the Asian Games 2026. As the games concluded in Aichi-Nagoya, the Prime Minister lauded the athletes for their determination, passion, and remarkable sporting spirit, noting that their achievements should serve as an inspiration to strengthen sports at the grassroots level across the country.
A Landmark Campaign for Team India
India concluded the 2026 Asian Games with a significant haul of 85 medals, consisting of 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze. While this total sits below the record of 106 medals achieved at the Hangzhou Games in 2023, the current campaign was defined by historic individual triumphs and unprecedented team successes.
In a statement shared via X, PM Modi expressed his pride in the nation's representatives: "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. Congratulations to all our medal winners, whose performances have brought immense joy to the nation."
The Golden Sweep: Cricket, Kabaddi, and Hockey
The defining highlight of India's campaign was a breathtaking clean sweep in three major team sports. India entered both men's and women's competitions in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey, returning with gold medals in all six events.
- Cricket: India achieved a golden double. The women's team secured an emphatic 147-run victory over Sri Lanka. The men's team followed suit, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs in a high-stakes final, fueled by standout performances from Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel.
- Kabaddi: India maintained its dominance on the mat. The women's team successfully defended their title with a 37-34 win over Iran. The men's team also overcame Iran 40-34, marking India's ninth gold in ten editions of the men's event.
- Hockey: In a historic first, both the men's and women's hockey teams won gold in the same edition. The women's team ended a 44-year medal drought by defeating China 1-0, thanks to Lalremsiami's 10th-minute goal. The men's team secured a dominant 5-1 victory over Malaysia to defend their title.
This success in hockey has profound implications for the future, as both the men's and women's squads have officially qualified for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Global Standings and Competition
Despite India's impressive performance, the overall standings were dominated by the giants of the continent. China finished at the top of the table with a massive 341 medals, including 169 golds. The host nation, Japan, secured second place with 269 medals, while South Korea followed in third with 150 medals. India's performance secured a strong position in the competitive landscape of Asian sports.