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Sable's Asian Games Selection Signals India's Middle-Distance Depth

India has named a 73-strong athletics contingent for the Asian Games in Japan, headlined by Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra. The squad features several unexpected selections that reflect the country's expanding competitive range across track and field events.

LSN India · 22 August 2026

India's athletics delegation for the upcoming Asian Games will be one of the country's largest in recent years, with track and field accounting for 73 competitors across multiple disciplines. The team will be anchored by Neeraj Chopra, whose Olympic gold medal has elevated Indian athletics on the global stage, alongside a carefully selected mix of established performers and rising talent.

Among the squad's notable inclusions is middle-distance runner Avinash Sable, whose selection represents a confidence boost for India's traditionally weaker intermediate running categories. The inclusion of athletes across diverse events underscores the national federation's strategy to maximize medal opportunities and build competitive depth in events where India has historically struggled to produce medal winners.

The composition of the 73-member contingent reflects India's efforts to balance experience with emerging talent. While established names in sprints, jumps, and throws provide a familiar foundation, the selection of less prominent athletes signals the federation's commitment to nurturing the next generation of Indian track and field stars ahead of major international competitions.

The Asian Games will serve as a crucial testing ground for India's athletics program, offering opportunities for both medal-winning veterans and promising newcomers to compete at a high continental level. The performance of surprise inclusions like Sable could prove instrumental in determining India's medal haul and setting the trajectory for the sport's development in the country.