The Asian Games 2026 are set to begin in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with India sending a strong contingent featuring several Olympic medallists.
Among the biggest names expected to lead the country's medal challenge are PV Sindhu, Manu Bhaker and Mirabai Chanu, each arriving at the continental multi-sport event with international experience.
The Asian Games 20th edition is starting on 19th September and will last until 4th October, although the competitions have already begun before the opening ceremony, including teqball and cricket games.
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India has sent a total of 503 athletes for the Games, as it secured a historic 107 medals in the last edition, which was held in 2022 in Hangzhou.
PV Sindhu: India's Badminton Star
PV Sindhu is expected to be one of the highlights of the badminton segment of the tournament.
Sindhu is the winner of two medals at the Olympic Games, silver in Rio 2016 and bronze in Tokyo 2020. In addition, she made history in the 2018 Asian Games as the first Indian badminton player to win a medal in women's singles.
At the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 event, she will participate in both women's team and women's singles events. She will start her campaign in the team event on September 20 and go on to participate in the singles event starting on September 25.
PV Sindhu Schedule
September 20: Women's Team Round of 16: 6:00 AM IST
September 22: Women's Team Quarter-final: 6:00 AM IST
September 23: Women's Team Semi-final: 6:00 AM IST
September 24: Women's Team Gold Medal Match: 6:00 AM IST
September 25-29: Women's Singles: from 6:00 AM IST onwards
The singles dates are subject to Sindhu progressing through each round.
Manu Bhaker Eyes Shooting Success
Manu Bhaker heads India's shooting contingent after becoming a double Olympic medallist at the Paris 2024 Games. She won bronze in the women's 10m air pistol and another bronze in the mixed team 10m air pistol alongside Sarabjot Singh.
Her Asian Games campaign includes the women's 10m air pistol event on September 23, with the qualification and final scheduled from 6:15 AM IST at the Nagakute Shooting Range.
Mirabai Chanu Chases Missing Asian Games Medal
The 2026 Asian Games represents a crucial moment in the career of Mirabai Chanu. Having already earned significant accolades in the form of medals at both the Olympic Games and various other competitions, Chanu still finds that she is missing one medal: an Asian Games medal.
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Prior to the 2026 Games, Chanu’s best result at the Asian Games was in 2014, when she finished in ninth place, having missed the 2018 Games due to injury.
However, in 2022, her injury had a significant impact on her chances, as she was unable to compete for medals at this edition of the event.
Chanu will be competing in the women’s 49kg final on September 23 at 10:00 am IST, an event that Indian fans will be looking forward to.