Five Indian Debutants Ready for Their Asian Games Test
New Delhi, September 19, 2026 India’s 499-member contingent at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan will feature several established stars, but a fresh group of athletes will also get their first taste of the continental multi-sport event. Among the debutants are badminton player Ayush Shetty, javelin thrower Rohit Yadav, wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, boxer Sakshi Chaudhary and shooter Suruchi Phogat. Their performances could also offer valuable experience ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. At 21, Ayush Shetty has already built a strong record against elite badminton players, with a Thomas Cup bronze and Asian Championships silver to his name. He recently defeated then-world No. 1 and defending champion Shi Yuqi at the BWF World Championships. His Asian Championships campaign also included wins over then-world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn and world No. 4 Jonatan Christie. In javelin, 25-year-old Rohit Yadav will compete in the absence of Neeraj Chopra. Rohit has crossed 87 metres twice this season, including an 87.68m effort in Bhubaneswar that earned him gold. Wrestler Sujeet Kalkal, 23, enters the event as the reigning Asian Championships gold medallist in the 65kg category. The Haryana grappler also won an Under-23 gold last year and an Under-20 bronze in 2022. Boxing debutant Sakshi Chaudhary, meanwhile, comes into the Games after winning the women’s 51kg gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 26-year-old has also secured World Boxing Cup gold in the 54kg category and Asian Championships bronze in 2021. Shooting will see 20-year-old Suruchi Phogat make her Asian Games bow in the 10m air pistol. She has already won five ISSF World Cup gold medals, along with a World Championships team silver and an ISSF World Cup Final gold. At the Lima World Cup, she defeated Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker to take the top spot. With all five athletes bringing international experience despite being Asian Games debutants, their performances in Japan will be closely watched as they look to establish themselves on the bigger stage and build towards the next Olympic cycle.
