Indian contingent at the Asian Games closing ceremony and PM Narendra ModiNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated the Indian contingent for its performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, praising the athletes for representing the country with “determination, passion and remarkable sporting spirit” as India concluded its campaign with 85 medals. India finished fourth on the medal table with 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze medals, ending the Games with its second-highest medal haul in Asian Games history.

The tally was 21 medals fewer than the record 106 won at the Hangzhou edition in 2023. “As the Asian Games 2026 draw to a close, my compliments to every member of the Indian contingent for representing our nation with determination, passion and remarkable sporting spirit.

Congratulations to all our medal winners, whose performances have brought immense joy to the nation. May these Games inspire even greater achievements in the years ahead.

May they contribute to strengthening sports at the grassroots too,” Modi wrote. The Prime Minister’s message came after more than two weeks of competition involving athletes from 45 countries.

The Aichi-Nagoya Games witnessed a string of record-breaking performances, including 54 world records. The Games formally concluded with a spectacular closing ceremony at the Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Nagoya on Sunday.

Historic golds and landmark performancesIndia’s campaign was marked by several historic performances and successful title defences across disciplines. Both Indian cricket squads retained their Asian Games titles, while the men’s and women’s kabaddi sides also won gold.

The men’s hockey side successfully defended its title with a 5-1 victory over Malaysia, while the women’s team ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold by defeating China 1-0 in the final. There were also several breakthrough individual performances.

Pranavi Urs became the first Indian woman to win an individual Asian Games golf gold, while 17-year-old archer Kumkum Mohod created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win individual recurve gold at the continental showpiece. Mohod was also part of India’s historic women’s recurve team gold that ended South Korea’s seven-edition winning streak in the event.

Wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, meanwhile, produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the Games to win the men’s 65kg freestyle gold. Boxer Lovlina Borgohain also joined an elite group of Indian women by becoming only the second after Mary Kom to win an Asian Games boxing gold.