Asian Games 2026: Packed September 28 for India in Aichi-Nagoya as Sable, Lovlina, Nagal, Bhaker lead medal hopes

India’s contingent faces a busy Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, with Sable, Lovlina, Nagal and Bhaker listed among the nation’s medal hopefuls. The team will compete across more than a dozen disciplines as it looks to add to its medal tally.

The day’s programme opens early with surfing, archery and shooting on the agenda before team events, knockout matches and athletics finals take centre stage. Surfing is scheduled to start at 07:28 JST (03:58 IST) at Long Beach in Tahara, where Sivaraj Babu meets the Philippines’ ALCISO Jayuard in the men’s shortboard Round 3 Heat 2, and Kishore Kumar is due to face China’s MA Wensong later in the morning.

Indian squash players Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh had been tipped as potential disruptors but encountered a setback at the Games. Malaysia’s grip on Asian squash persisted as reigning champions Sivasangari Subramanium and NG Eain Yow retained their titles in Nagoya on Sunday (September 27, 2026), beating Anahat and Abhay 3-0.

The straight-sets defeats underlined the gap the younger Indian players must close to become regular challengers at the top. The match results were described in reports as reaffirming the Malaysian pair’s pre-eminent position on the continent and in the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 27, 2026) congratulated Indian athletes, including silver medallists Ancy Sojan, Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh, for their "stupendous performance" at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Ancy won the silver medal in women’s long jump and Harita Bhadra clinched the bronze in the women’s 200m; Anahat and Abhay won a silver each in women’s and men’s singles squash, while Sarvesh Kushare won the white metal in men’s high jump and Tejaswin Shankar bagged a bronze in men’s decathlon.

Regarding Sojan, Modi said her "strong and spirited performance" had brought immense joy to the nation. Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh have also reflected on their Asian Games setbacks, the lessons learned and the path to competing with top players.

Monday’s programme at Aichi-Nagoya, beginning with the Long Beach surfing heats and followed by a slate of athletics finals and other events, offers multiple opportunities for India to build on the medals won so far.