Raksha Mantri felicitates Services athletes for record 27-medal haul at 2026 Asian Games
On 12 October 2026, Rajnath Singh felicitated defence-force athletes who won 27 medals (6G, 11S, 10B) at the Asian Games in Japan; India finished fourth with 85 medals overall.
Summary
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh felicitated sportspersons from the defence forces who won 27 medals — 6 Gold, 11 Silver and 10 Bronze — at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, the Services' best-ever performance. Ninety-two athletes from the three Services competed in 19 disciplines and contributed to India's fourth-place finish. The Indian contingent won 85 medals (21 Gold, 27 Silver, 37 Bronze). Services athletes contributed 32% of India's medal tally and 28.57% of its Gold medals. Standouts included Naib Subedar Neeru Dhanda (first Indian woman to win Gold in individual Women's Trap), Naib Subedar Gulveer Singh (first Indian male track-and-field athlete with three individual medals at one Asian Games), Havildar Sawan Barwal (Men's Marathon Silver in national-record 2:11:37, ending a 44-year wait), and Naib Subedar Sarvesh Kushare (Men's High Jump medal after 56 years).
Key facts
- Services medals
- 27 (6 Gold, 11 Silver, 10 Bronze)
- Services athletes
- 92 athletes in 19 disciplines
- India total
- 85 medals (21G, 27S, 37B); 4th place
- Share
- 32% of India's medals; 28.57% of Golds
- Event date
- Felicitated 12 October 2026, New Delhi
- Standouts
- Neeru Dhanda; Gulveer Singh; Sawan Barwal; Sarvesh Kushare
Practice MCQs 3 questions
How many medals did Services athletes win at the 2026 Asian Games, as per the October 2026 felicitation?
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Correct answer: A — 27
What was India's overall medal tally and rank at the 2026 Asian Games cited in the Services felicitation?
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Correct answer: B — 85 medals; 4th place
Who became the first Indian woman to win Gold in individual Women's Trap at the Asian Games, as noted in October 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Neeru Dhanda