How 'naari shakti' turned around India's fortunes at Asian Games 2026

India’s Asian Games 2026 campaign was a story of two halves. The first felt like a horror show, with disappointing showings and barely any medals. The second is where the athletes shined and the medals flowed. Yet again, it was the women who stepped up, delivering performances that ensured India repeated its fourth position finish in the medals table.Three of those gold medallists—Kiran Pahal and Prachi Choudhary, part of the women’s 4x400m relay team, and women’s hockey vice-captain Navneet Kaur—gathered at the India Today Conclave Mumbai on October 9 to recall their memorable wins from a week ago.With seven gold medals so far across Asian Games editions, the 4x400m women’s relay has been one of India’s favoured events. So, was there pressure to deliver in Japan? “Fear is always there. There was this expectation that we have to get the gold and have the national anthem ring in the stadium,” said Pahal. “There wasn’t much of a lead at the start, but we were doing well. There’s an implicit trust we have in each other. When Vithya [Ramraj] was running the last leg, it felt like we all are running with her. I still get goose bumps thinking of the moment.”This relay team’s composition is also an example of India’s diversity. While Pahal is from Haryana, Choudhary is from Uttar Pradesh, Poovamma Raju Machettira from Karnataka and Ramraj from Tamil Nadu. Asked how they keep their language and cultural differences aside to compete as a team, Choudhary said: “We train at one camp. When we are on the track, we are united. We don’t come from a state—we are from India. [While competing,] we are at war and have to defeat everyone else and install our flag there.”The quartet’s performance at the Asian Games was a major relief also because it ensured that the Indian athletics contingent had at least one gold to show.For Choudhary, it was also the fulfilment of a promise she made to herself after the setback of 2023 where the team finished with a silver in the same event at the Hangzhou Asian Games. “I had put it in my head that [in the] next Games, gold leke aana hai,” she said. Her WhatsApp status is further proof of her determination. It reads: “I will not win a medal immediately. I will win it eventually.”One of the best Indian performances at the 2026 Asian Games came from the women’s hockey team, which beat Olympics 2024 silver medallists and higher-ranked China to ace the podium and seal a place for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.“We were motivated to win the gold, especially after missing out on qualifying for Paris [2024],” said Navneet. The team, she said, was well prepared to face China, having drawn against them in the World Cup tie just a month ago. “We had watched videos of their matches, had meetings where we shared our personal goals,” she said.That prep came particularly handy when goalkeeper Savita Punia saved a penalty stroke in the final. It turned out to be one of the turning points of the game, giving the team a major boost of confidence. “We knew we will be able see this through,” added Navneet.The Conclave session, ‘India’s Sports Queen of 2026’, ended with a pertinent plea from her: resume the women’s hockey league. For that to happen, sponsors need to believe in women’s sports and come forth with funds. As Navneet said: “The league gives experience to young players The exposure and competition deeply benefits Team India. It will help us put in more great performances.”KEY TAKEAWAYIndian women athletes led from the front at the Asian Games 2026, bagging 14 of the 21 gold medals the country won. Choudhary called it a perfect embodiment of “naari shakti”.SESSION HIGHLIGHTSPrachi Choudhary“Ladkon ko chooth milti hai (Boys are given freedom). They don’t have to do household chores. If they don’t do, they don’t get scolded. If girls are also given that freedom and support, more can come out and do well. I’d encourage mothers to motivate their girls so that they are strong.”Kiran Pahal“My parents wouldn’t give me permission to train. I told them that if I don’t get to play, I won’t study or eat food.”Navneet Kaur“When we put the Indian jersey on, the power comes instantly. The mood is already ‘We have to put our best show today’.”“There’s a good environment for women players. If we don’t feel safe or if there’s an issue, then we can talk and raise it freely.”Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends