The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 is an exhilarating celebration of athleticism and culture in the heart of Japan. From the precision of martial arts to the speed of track and field, the athletes of Asia will showcase their skills in a diverse array of sports in this grand spectacle of athleticism and camaraderie.
New Delhi: The Union sports ministry has laid out strict selection criteria for the 2026 Asian Games, ensuring only those with a “real chance of winning medals” will be allowed to participate. For those in individual events, a sixth-place finish at the last Asian Games has been retained as the benchmark while top eight ranking for team disciplines is the new norm. In cases where the event was not part of the previous Asian Games, a top-six finish at senior Asian Championships will be the minimum requirement.
The Asian Games is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia, and is regulated by the Olympic Council of Asia. It is the second largest international sporting event after the Olympics and has its own emblem featuring a rising sun with interlocking rings. The Games were first introduced in 1951 and India is a founding member, hosting the inaugural edition in New Delhi. Its logo is the symbol of Asia’s unified spirit and the concept was devised by Indian International Olympic Committee member Guru Dutt Sondhi.