Army Athletes Win Record 20 Medals at Asian Games 2026, Deliver Nearly a Quarter of India’s Haul

Indian Army athletes won a record 20 medals at the Asian Games 2026, accounting for nearly a quarter of India’s overall haul and helping the country finish fourth in the standings.

The contingent secured six gold, eight silver and six bronze medals across a campaign involving 62 Army athletes in 15 disciplines, according to an official release. Its gold tally doubled from the 2022 edition.

Army athletes contributed 20 of India’s 85 medals and six of its 21 golds. Their share of the Indian contingent also rose to 12.6 per cent, compared with 9 per cent in 2022.

NEERU DHANDA AND GULVEER SINGH LEAD THE WAY

Neeru Dhanda and Gulveer Singh were among the standout performers, returning with three medals each.

Dhanda won two golds and a silver, becoming the first Indian woman to claim an individual Asian Games gold in women’s trap shooting. She also set an Asian Games record with a score of 118 out of 125, the release said.

Gulveer secured two silvers and a bronze, becoming the first Indian male track-and-field athlete to win three individual medals at a single Asian Games edition.

Nine women were part of the Army contingent. Together, they won two golds and a silver, accounting for a third of its gold medals.

MARATHON AND HIGH JUMP END LONG WAITS

Several Army athletes delivered medals that India had waited decades to win.

Sawan Barwal ended a 44-year wait for an Indian Asian Games medal in the men’s marathon. His time of 2:11:37 also established a national record, according to the release.

Sarvesh Kushare won India’s first Asian Games medal in the men’s high jump in 56 years.

In rowing, Salman Khan contributed to what the release described as India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in men’s double sculls.

SHOOTING GAINS, ARCHERY RECORDS

Shooting delivered one of the contingent’s biggest improvements. Army representation increased from one shooter in 2022 to four in 2026, while the medal tally climbed from a single silver to three golds and a silver.

Kamaljeet set an Asian Games record of 484.6 in the 10m air pistol mixed team event, the release said.

In men’s recurve archery, Dhiraj Bommadevara’s score of 698 out of 720 established both national and Asian Games records.

Boxing yielded a gold and two bronze medals. Eight Army boxers competed in 2026, compared with seven at the previous edition.

THE TRAINING SYSTEM BEHIND THE MEDALS

The Army attributed the performance to a sporting programme that identifies promising athletes and develops them through specialised training centres.

These centres provide coaching, facilities, equipment, technical and scientific support, and opportunities to compete. Sustained institutional backing helps athletes progress from talent identification to international competition.

The campaign adds to an Army sporting tradition associated with figures such as hockey great Major Dhyan Chand and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. In 2026, that legacy found expression in a record medal haul, stronger participation by women and performances that broke records and ended long waits.

With inputs from ANI