NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday felicitated athletes from the three Services for winning 27 medals, including six gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze, at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The 92 Services athletes competed in 19 disciplines and contributed to India’s fourth-place finish at the continental event. The Indian contingent won 85 medals, comprising 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze.
Addressing the athletes at the felicitation ceremony in New Delhi, Singh attributed their achievements to discipline, hard work, teamwork and dedication. He also acknowledged the challenges faced by sportspersons in balancing military duties with training, competition and recovery from injuries.
He encouraged athletes who did not win medals to continue striving for excellence, saying participation itself contributed to bringing recognition to the country and the Defence Forces.
Singh highlighted the role of the Mission Olympic Wing in identifying talent, providing scientific training and access to modern sports facilities, and preparing athletes for international competitions. He also acknowledged the contribution of coaches, support staff, physiotherapists, nutritionists and athletes’ families.
Calling for a focused approach towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the defence minister urged athletes and their support teams to set higher targets and build on their Asian Games performance. He said the government was committed to strengthening sports infrastructure, modern training facilities and opportunities for athletes.
The Services athletes accounted for 32 per cent of India’s overall medal tally and 28.57 per cent of its gold medals, according to the Defence Ministry.
Among the standout performers was Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda, who won two gold and one silver medal, becoming the first Indian woman to win gold in the individual women’s trap event at the Games.
Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh secured two silver and one bronze medal, becoming the first Indian male track-and-field athlete to win three individual medals at a single edition of the Asian Games.
Havildar Sawan Barwal won silver in the men’s marathon with a national record time of 2:11:37, ending India’s 44-year wait for an Asian Games marathon medal.
Naib Subedar Sarvesh Kushare also secured a medal in the men’s high jump, marking India’s first medal in the event at the Asian Games in 56 years.
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Pralhad Joshi and Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth were among those present at the ceremony.
COAS backs Mission Olympic Wing after 20-medal Asian Games haul
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Dhiraj Seth on Monday said the Indian Army’s performance at the Asian Games reflected its athletes’ potential for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The Army felicitated its medal winners at the Manekshaw Centre here after its athletes secured 20 medals, including six gold, eight silver and six bronze, at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
Seth highlighted the role of the Army’s Mission Olympic Wing, established in 2001, in identifying and developing talent through sports nodes, boys’ and girls’ sports companies, and specialised training facilities. He expressed confidence that several Army athletes would win medals at the 2028 Olympics.
Among the standout performers were distance runner Gulveer Singh, who won two silver and a bronze, trap shooter Neeru Dhanda, who secured two gold and a silver, and marathon runner Sawan Barwal, who won silver to end India’s 44-year wait for an Asian Games marathon medal.
Seth urged the public to continue supporting athletes, saying their hard work and dedication could bring further recognition to the Army and the country.
Dhanda said her experience in the Army had helped her grow both as a sportsperson and as an individual. (PTI)
