Rajnath Singh Honors Armed Forces Heroes for Record 27-Medal Haul
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitates Armed Forces athletes for their historic 27-medal haul at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
In a grand ceremony held in New Delhi on Monday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated the extraordinary sportspersons of the Armed Forces who delivered a historic performance at the recently concluded 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The athletes secured a staggering 27 medals, marking the best-ever performance by the Services at this prestigious international sporting event.
The medal tally for the Services included six Gold, 11 Silver, and 10 Bronze medals. This massive achievement played a crucial role in India's overall fourth-place finish at the Games, where the national contingent secured 85 medals in total.
A Massive Contribution to India's Glory
The impact of the Armed Forces on India's success cannot be overstated. Out of India's total 85 medals, the Services' athletes accounted for 32 per cent of the tally and 28.57 per cent of the nation's Gold medals. A total of 92 athletes from the three Services competed across 19 different disciplines, demonstrating the sheer scale of their involvement.
The event was also attended by Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi, alongside Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and other senior officials.
Breaking Records and Making History
Several athletes emerged as trailblazers during the Games, etching their names into the history books:
- Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda: A standout performer who secured two Gold medals and one Silver. She made history as the first Indian woman to win Gold in the individual women’s Trap event at the Asian Games.
- Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh: Claimed two Silver medals and one Bronze, becoming the first Indian male track-and-field athlete to win three individual medals in a single edition of the Games.
- Havildar Sawan Barwal: Ended a painful 44-year wait for an Indian marathon medal at the Asian Games by winning Silver in the men’s marathon with a national-record time of 2:11:37.
- Naib Subedar Sarvesh Kushare: Secured a historic medal in the men’s high jump, marking India's first medal in this specific event at the Games in 56 years.
The Discipline Behind the Gold
Addressing the athletes, Rajnath Singh attributed their success to the core values of the Armed Forces: discipline, hard work, team spirit, and sporting excellence. He spoke poignantly about the sacrifices made by these soldiers, noting the immense dedication required to balance rigorous unit duties with intense sports training.
"The journey to winning a medal involves immense dedication, early-morning training, gym sessions, injuries, recovery, and consistent efforts while staying away from families," Singh remarked.
He also offered words of encouragement to those who participated but did not reach the podium, stating that true defeat lies only in giving up and that every participant brought honour to the country and the Defence Forces.
Focusing on the Road to Los Angeles 2028
The Defence Minister highlighted the vital role of the Mission Olympic Wing in identifying talent and providing world-class scientific training and facilities. He emphasized that a champion is never made in isolation, acknowledging the essential contributions of coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and families.
Looking ahead, Singh reiterated the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government's commitment to transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse. He urged the athletes, trainers, and support staff to adopt a systematic approach and set even higher targets for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.