President Murmu Hails India's 85-Medal Asian Games Campaign
President Droupadi Murmu celebrates India's historic 85-medal haul at the Asian Games 2026, highlighting gold sweeps in cricket, kabaddi, and hockey.
President Droupadi Murmu has lauded the Indian contingent for their remarkable performance at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, stating that the dedication and perseverance of the athletes have brought immense pride to the nation. India concluded its campaign with a significant haul of 85 medals, securing 21 golds, 27 silvers, and 37 bronze medals.
In a congratulatory message shared on X, the President specifically highlighted the impressive contributions of women athletes and expressed her best wishes for their future sporting journeys. The campaign was marked by historic individual triumphs and a dominant showing in several key disciplines.
A Golden Sweep in Team Sports
The defining highlight of India's campaign was a spectacular clean sweep in the team sports where the nation competed in both men's and women's categories. India secured gold in all six events across cricket, kabaddi, and hockey.
Cricket: The Golden Double
India achieved a golden double in cricket, with the women's team securing an emphatic 147-run victory over Sri Lanka in the final. The men's team completed the sweep by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by 19 runs, driven by standout performances from Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, and Axar Patel.
Kabaddi: Maintaining Dominance
The kabaddi campaign saw continued Indian supremacy. The women's team successfully defended their title with a 37-34 win over Iran. The men's team also overcame Iran with a 40-34 scoreline, marking India's ninth gold in ten editions of the men's sport since its inclusion in 1990.
Hockey: Historic Double and Olympic Qualification
Hockey provided some of the most emotional moments of the Games. The Indian women's team ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games medal by defeating China 1-0, thanks to a 10th-minute goal by Lalremsiami. This marked India's first women's hockey gold at the Games since 1982.
The men's team defended their title with a commanding 5-1 victory over Malaysia. This historic edition saw both the men's and women's hockey teams win gold simultaneously, effectively qualifying both squads for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Archery Brilliance and Standout Performers
Archery emerged as a powerhouse discipline for India, contributing nine medals to the tally, including five golds. The standout star was 17-year-old Kumkum Mohod, who made history as the first Indian to win an individual recurve gold at the Asian Games. In a high-pressure shoot-off against South Korea's Oh Yejin, Mohod secured the title and an Olympic quota place for India.
Final Medal Standings
While India's 85-medal total fell short of the 106 medals won during the 2023 Hangzhou Games, the nation's fourth-place finish remains a significant achievement. The overall standings were led by:
- China: 341 medals (169 gold)
- Japan: 269 medals (83 gold)
- South Korea: 150 medals (39 gold)
- India: 85 medals (21 gold)