How many times has India hosted the Asian Games?
The 2026 Asian Games, also known as the 20th Asian Games and Aichi-Nagoya 2026, a multi-sport event, is scheduled to be held from 19 September to 4 October 2026. In this article, we will learn how many times India has hosted the Asian Games along with a few interesting facts about India at the Asian Games.
The 2026 Asian Games, also known as the 20th Asian Games and Aichi-Nagoya 2026, a multi-sport event, is scheduled to be held from 19 September to 4 October 2026. The 2026 Asian Games are expected to include 468 medal events in 43 sports, including athletics, cricket, hockey, shooting, wrestling, archery, and boxing. The Asian Games, also known as the Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years for athletes of Asia.
Since the 1982 Games, the Asian Games have been organised by the Olympic Council of Asia. The Asian Games is the second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympic Games. Nine nations have hosted the Asian Games. 45 nations recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia compete at the Asian Games. The last edition of the Asian Games was held in Hangzhou, China.
How many times has India hosted the Asian Games?
India has hosted the Asian Games twice: the inaugural 1951 Asian Games and the 1982 Asian Games.
At the 1951 Asian Games, India ranked 2nd and won 51 medals, including 15 gold, 16 silver, and 20 bronze.
At the 1982 Asian Games, India ranked 5th. India bagged 57 medals, including 13 gold, 10 silver, and 25 bronze medals.
7 Interesting Facts about India at the Asian Games
1. As a member of the South Asian Zone of the Olympic Council of Asia, India has participated in the Asian Games since their inception in 1951.
2. India is one of the only seven countries that have competed in all the editions of the Asian Games. India has always ranked in the top 10 nations of the medal table, except in the 1990 Asian Games.
3. At the Asian Games 2023, India became the fourth nation in the history of the Asian Games to cross the 100-medal mark in one edition. Only Japan, China, and South Korea have achieved this feat. India bagged 107 medals.
4. India has won a total of 779 medals to date at the Asian Games, including 183 medals, 239 silver medals, and 357 bronze medals.
5. India's first-ever gold medal at the Asian Games was won by swimmer Sachin Nag in the 100-meter freestyle event at the inaugural 1951 Asian Games held in New Delhi.
6. Roshan Misty was the first Indian woman to win an Asian Games medal. She bagged a silver medal in the 100m sprint in the 1951 Asian Games.
7. Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the javelin throw at the Asian Games 2018.
Roopashree Sharma is a seasoned content writing professional with over 5 years of experience in digital journalism, specialising in writing explainers and IQ quizzes across geopolitics and strategic affairs, and international affairs and trade. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has contributed to leading media houses, including Zee, Times, and India TV. Currently serving as Deputy Manager – Editorial at Jagran New Media, she writes and produces videos for the General Knowledge (GK) section of the Jagran Josh (English) portal. For inquiries, contact her at roopashree.sharma@jagrannewmedia.com.
