Army athletes win 6 gold, 8 silver and 6 bronze, contributing nearly one-fourth of India’s medal tally
New Delhi, October 9: Indian Army athletes delivered their best-ever performance at the Asian Games 2026, winning a record 20 medals — six gold, eight silver and six bronze — to contribute significantly to India’s fourth-place finish.
The 62 Army athletes competed across 15 disciplines, accounting for 20 of India’s 85 medals, including nearly 29 per cent of the country’s gold medals. The Army’s gold tally doubled from the 2022 Asian Games.
Nb Sub Neeru Dhanda emerged as a standout performer with two gold and one silver, while Nb Sub Gulveer Singh won two silver and one bronze.
Shooting proved a major strength, with Army athletes winning four medals, including three gold. In boxing, the contingent secured three medals — one gold and two bronze.
Several athletes set records. Hav Sawan Barwal established a national record in the men’s marathon with a timing of 2:11:37, while Sub Dhiraj Bommadevara set a national record in men’s recurve archery with 698/720.
The campaign also produced historic milestones. Barwal ended India’s 44-year wait for an Asian Games marathon medal, while Nb Sub Sarvesh Kushare secured a medal in men’s high jump after a 56-year gap. Nb Sub Salman Khan won India’s first-ever Asian Games medal in men’s double sculls.
Neeru Dhanda became the first Indian woman to win Asian Games gold in individual women’s trap shooting, while Gulveer became the first Indian male track-and-field athlete to win three individual medals at a single edition of the Games.
The contingent included nine women, who won two gold and one silver. Army representation in India’s contingent rose from nine per cent in 2022 to 12.6 per cent in 2026.
The Army attributed its success to a structured sporting ecosystem providing specialised coaching, modern facilities, scientific support and competition exposure, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing talent and developing athletes capable of excelling on the international stage.
