# Silver Lining at Aichi-Nagoya

> India's Asian Games performance sparks hope for sporting renaissance after second-best medal tally.
- Title: Silver Lining at Aichi-Nagoya · Financialexpress | Shortify
- Summary: India's Asian Games performance sparks hope for sporting renaissance after second-best medal tally. India's second-best Asian Games performance triggers…
- Keywords: aichi-nagoya, india, asian games, track and field, khelo india, sports, medals, athletics, business, money, news, Silver
- Source: Financialexpress — https://financialexpress.com/opinion/silver-lining-at-aichi-nagoya/4353114
- Author: N Chandra Mohan
- Published: 2026-10-03T18:50:45+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: aichi-nagoya, india, asian games, track and field, khelo india, sports, medals, athletics, business, money, news
## India's Asian Games Performance
India's 495-strong contingent competing in 36 sporting disciplines delivered a highly creditable performance at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
## Second-Best Medal Tally
The performance is the second best ever in all editions of this event since 1951, with 24 medals compared to 29 at Hangzhou.
## Athletics Challenges
India secured only one athletics gold but struggled to defend Hangzhou's six medals in key events like the men's 3000m steeplechase.
## Track and Field Breakthroughs
India won its first-ever women's pole vault bronze and secured silver in the men's marathon after a 56-year wait.
## Gulveer Singh's Achievement
Gulveer Singh, an army man from Uttar Pradesh, won silvers in the 10,000m and 1500m and a bronze in the 5,000m after high altitude training in Colorado Springs.
## Team Event Success
India regained hockey supremacy with men's and women's victories, ending a 44-year wait for women's hockey after defeating China.
## Future Steps for Sports
The Union Cabinet approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme with Rs 36,441 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31 to develop rural athletes into world-class competitors.
## Key takeaway

India's second-best Asian Games performance triggers questions about how to build on its 24 medals to achieve more golds.