Anju Bobby George expects Indian athletics to deliver big again at Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya; around 29 medals expected

Anju Bobby George expects Indian athletics to deliver big again at Asian Games

The world medallist believes India can match their Hangzhou tally and has backed the country’s long jumpers to challenge for medals at Aichi-Nagoya.

World championships medallist Anju Bobby George believes the Indian athletics team can target another 29-medal haul at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya.

India won 29 athletics medals at Hangzhou 2023 and Anju expects the contingent to challenge for a similar tally this time, with athletes heading into the Games after considerable international exposure.

“Normally, athletics is the most medal-hunting event. Last time, it was 29. So, somewhere around the same, we are expecting this time also,” Anju told Olympics.com .

Anju Bobby George also expects India to challenge strongly in the women’s long jump , where Shaili Singh will be among the medal hopefuls.

Ancy Sojan, who broke Anju’s 22-year-old national record with a 6.88m jump in Bhubaneswar in June, will join Shaili Singh in India’s women’s long jump challenge at Aichi-Nagoya.

“We are expecting two medals from long jump because both the girls are jumping well,” she said.

Anju believes Shaili has the potential to produce a big jump at Aichi-Nagoya, but stressed that delivering her best when it matters will be key.

“They all have the potential. Shaili is also having the potential. If they can take out their best on that day, anything can be possible.”

For Anju, however, success at the Asian Games should form part of a bigger journey for India’s leading athletes rather than being the ultimate objective.

The 49-year-old Anju believes competing against the best at the World Championships and Olympic Games remains the true test of an athlete’s ability.

“Asian medal is one step,” Anju said. “They have to reach there, on the world stage. The Asian Games is just a stepping stone.”

Anju also acknowledged that the Asian Games can present a tougher challenge than the Commonwealth Games in several disciplines but believes India’s leading athletes have enough experience heading into Aichi-Nagoya.

“They have had enough exposure. They competed enough. So, this is the testing period,” she said. “We are expecting the best from them.”

With the Asian Games arriving only once every four years, Anju’s message to the Indian contingent was simple.

“This is the right time. You all are getting a chance, so utilise it well.”

Gulveer, Sreeshankar, Tejaswin in India’s Asian Games athletics team