20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya: Top Contenders and Athletes to Watch

The stage is set for the biggest names in Asian sport to shine in Japan, as the 20th Asian Games will bring world champions, Olympic medal holders and big names who have inspired millions onto the same platform to showcase their skills across various disciplines. From September 19 to October 4, more than 11,000 athletes will compete for medals and enthral the audience with their top-notch skills.

For the Indian contingent, this is another big test not only to better its record of a 107-medal haul at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, but also to prove its mettle in emerging sports.

This is a continental showpiece event that will see fierce competition among athletes. Undoubtedly, China is the overwhelming favourite to claim the top spot in the medal tally, as its athletes have proved their calibre time and again, not only at the Olympics but also at various other sporting events across the world.

Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea are not only big rivals but also have some of the finest athletes on the continent, and they will not leave an inch for their opponents. Over the years, India has also built a hard-earned reputation as a big name that poses a strong challenge in various disciplines, including boxing, shooting, hockey, cricket and badminton, among others.

So, when it comes to piecing together the top athletes and countries that would be the top contenders at Aichi-Nagoya 2026, there are some big names and many emerging ones.

China: Asia's sporting powerhouse

During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China stunned the entire world by not only organising a tremendous and unprecedented event, but also by topping the medal table with 48 gold medals on home turf. Though the United States won the highest total number of medals, with 112 compared with China's 100, what the world saw at that event was a culmination of China's preparation at the grassroots level and years of efforts to put the country on the map of the world's top sporting nations.

In the Asian Games, China is way ahead of other nations and has remained at the top of the table at every continental event since 1982. With an 815-athlete squad for the Asian Games, China is aiming for a 12th consecutive finish at the top of the table. China's contingent has 36 Olympic medal holders from 13 sports, which makes it a dream team. Whether it is the depth of the team or its prominence in various sports, including swimming, gymnastics, badminton, shooting, table tennis and others, China has everything it takes to claim the top slot in the medal tally.

Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu — table tennis

Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu represent the pinnacle of the sport, as their exploits are known worldwide and they have made tremendous progress in the sport. Twenty-five-year-old Sun Yingsha is the current World No. 1 and is known for her explosive style of play and supreme tactical intelligence. She not only outsmarts her opponents during powerful rallies but also leaves them awestruck with her sliding forehand technique. She has already created history by becoming the first woman to win a third consecutive World Cup title in table tennis. She is also the reigning Olympic gold medallist in mixed doubles with Wang Chuqin.

Yingsha has held the top ranking in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings for over 200 weeks and also became the first woman to pass 10,000 ranking points.

On the other hand, 27-year-old experienced campaigner Wang Manyu has won women's singles titles at the World Championships, Asian Games and Asian Championships. Of course, she has also won Olympic gold medals. These two contenders will be at the Asian Games, and they will once again try to stamp their authority on the sport unless someone produces the upset of the tournament.

Chen Yuxi and Wang Zongyuan — diving

Over the years, China has specifically focused on some sports to bolster its medal tally, and its diving programme is one of those programmes that has provided a big source of medals. China has not only mastered this sport but has also created an ecosystem to prepare a talent pipeline, and its effect has been visible across the globe during major medal events. To lead the diving charge, China has Chen Yuxi and Wang Zongyuan, two elite Chinese diving champions who have been very consistent with their performances on the international stage.

For Olympic champions Chen Yuxi and Wang Zongyuan, the Asian Games also provide a good platform to test their skills and preparation before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Li Wenwen — weightlifting

China's double Olympic champion, double world champion and three-time Asian champion, Li Wenwen, will once again be seen in action at the Asian Games. Once again, it is China's sporting culture and well-designed programme to create a talent pipeline that has made it a big name in sports that were once dominated by Western countries. But now, weightlifting has become another sport in which China wins medals on the world stage. Li is an experienced campaigner and a big name in the +87 kg division. She will be another athlete to watch out for at this event.

Japan: Relying on home advantage and past experience

This time, it will be a test for Japan to prove its mettle in this event and convert its home advantage into a strong medal haul. Japan has always been a strong nation in many sports, including gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, badminton, judo and skateboarding, among others.

The most interesting thing about Japan is that it has many chances to win medals across various disciplines, as its athletes compete in a wide range of events. Meanwhile, Japan will also add regional flavour to the Games with jiu-jitsu, wushu and other combat sports. Japan will also participate in various regional events such as cricket and kabaddi.

Japan's Akane Yamaguchi is a former World No. 1 in badminton. She is a three-time world champion and the first Japanese player to win three titles in any discipline. She has also won the All England Open, the Asian Championships and the season-ending BWF World Tour Finals.

South Korea chasing Asian glory

For South Korea, An Se-young is their biggest medal hope and name. The World No. 1 and reigning Olympic champion badminton player will return to the Asian Games to defend her title. She has been in tremendous form in the ongoing season, winning the Asian Championships in April and the world title in August.

Song Se-ra is another big medal hope and contender from South Korea. The 32-year-old epee fencer won a team silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and an individual gold medal at the 2022 World Championships. She has been in strong form, and at the 2023 Asian Games, she helped her team win the gold medal. Once again, many hopes will be riding on her to win another medal.

India: Aiming for more medals, more glory and establishing authority in Asia

India's medal hopes suffered a big setback as its biggest medal hope, Olympic medallist and javelin star Neeraj Chopra, has been ruled out of the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, after suffering a season-ending ankle ligament tear.

In the absence of Chopra, shooter Manu Bhaker will take centre stage as India's biggest medal hope. Bhaker, who won two medals at the Olympic Games, will be one of India's biggest stars. Besides Bhaker, India's shooting contingent is also one of the country's biggest medal hopes.

In athletics, India can expect a medal from Avinash Sable, who has made a name for himself as a steeplechaser. Sable also has experience at major Games.

Interestingly, cricket adds a different sort of star power to the Asian Games, as India is a cricket-mad nation, and both the men's and women's T20 teams will be participating to win the gold. While the men's team is led by Shreyas Iyer, Harmanpreet Kaur will once again carry the hopes of billions of people and lead her team.

Besides shooting, India can also dream big and hope for medals in boxing, as it faces a tougher Asian field.