By News18,Ritayan Basu

Copyright news18

India is aiming for a record medal haul at next year’s Asian Games in Japan, part of a long-term strategy to enhance their prospects at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The world’s most populous nation exceeded expectations at Hangzhou in 2023, breaking the 100-medal barrier for the first time and finishing fourth behind hosts China, Japan, and South Korea.
India’s athletes, particularly cricketers, shooters, and archers, secured 107 medals at the Covid-delayed event, marking their best performance to date.
Officials are optimistic about surpassing this achievement at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, scheduled from September 19 to October 4 next year.
“I don’t like to talk about medals ever but I can assure you that we will definitely do better than last time,” Adille Sumariwalla, spokesman for the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), was quoted as saying to AFP with the Games one year away.
“Athletics is something that I am close to and I know that we will do better there.”
Sumariwalla, a former sprinter who represented India at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, emphasized that India’s primary goal is the Los Angeles Olympics.
“The focus for the athletics federation is the Olympics in LA 2028. On the way, if that (Asian Games) gives us medals, it is great,” he said.
How Have India Performed At Olympics?
India has historically underperformed at the Olympics, winning only 10 gold medals in its history.
One of these gold medals was secured by javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, the 2021 Tokyo champion. Chopra will lead India’s campaign in Japan, aiming for his third consecutive Asian Games title.
Chopra’s renowned rivalry with Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who outshone him for gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, promises to be a highlight.
India’s men and women cricketers both won gold in Hangzhou and are expected to replicate this success in Japan. Cricket’s return to the Olympics in 2028 presents a significant opportunity for India to enhance its modest tally on the largest stage.
In Japan, the men’s hockey team will strive to defend the title they regained in China, while India’s women will seek redemption after settling for bronze.
Shooting remains India’s primary medal-winning sport at the Asian Games and will be crucial again. Manu Bhaker is set to defend her team gold in the 25m pistol event, having become the first Indian to win two shooting medals at the Olympics.
Archery has also become a prolific medal-winning discipline for India. The nation secured nine medals in Hangzhou in archery, and earlier this month, the men’s compound team won gold at the World Championships in South Korea.
Traditional sports such as kabaddi are expected to continue contributing to India’s medal tally, following their intense final against Iran two years ago.
In athletics, the AFI is focusing on the men’s and women’s 4x100m relays, leveraging recent successes. In April, the men’s 4x100m relay team recorded a time of 38.69 seconds, a performance that could place them on the podium in Aichi-Nagoya.
(With inputs from AFP)