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Bengal’s Seven Medal Hopes Prepare for Asian Games 2026
Seven athletes connected to Bengal are expected to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games.
They will compete in archery, gymnastics, cricket, cycling, equestrian sport and table tennis.
The youngest athlete is 17-year-old table tennis player Syndrela Das.
The oldest is 55-year-old dressage rider Shruti Vora.
Some athletes have already competed at the Olympics or won medals at earlier Asian Games.
Richa Ghosh was part of India’s gold-medal-winning cricket team at the previous Asian Games.
Ankita Bhakat and Sutirtha Mukherjee also have Asian Games medals.
The team list can still change before the competition starts.
The Games are scheduled to begin in Japan on September 19.
Seven athletes with roots in Bengal are listed for India across six disciplines at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The group includes 17-year-old table tennis player Syndrela Das and 55-year-old dressage rider Shruti Vora.
Archer Ankita Bhakat, gymnast Pranati Nayak, cricketer Richa Ghosh and table tennis player Sutirtha Mukherjee have previous Asian Games or Olympic experience.
Cyclist Triyasha Paul will compete in the sprint events after moving from Bengal’s domestic representation to Delhi’s.
The published Indian squad remains subject to change before the Games begin in Japan on September 19.
- Who
- Seven Bengal-linked Indian athletes: Ankita Bhakat, Pranati Nayak, Richa Ghosh, Triyasha Paul, Shruti Vora, Syndrela Das and Sutirtha Mukherjee.
- What
- They are listed to compete for India at the 2026 Asian Games across six sports.
- Where
- The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games will be held in Japan.
- When
- The Games are scheduled to begin on September 19, 2026.
- Why
- They will compete for India, with several entering as experienced athletes or previous medallists.
Athletes’ and coaches’ perspectives
Reported institutional position
Shruti Vora’s accreditation dispute
Athletes’ and coaches’ perspectives
Vora alleged that the Equestrian Federation of India failed to process documents concerning her horse’s owner, despite receiving them before the deadline, and sought intervention from the Indian Olympic Association.
Reported institutional position
The article does not provide a response from the Equestrian Federation of India or the Indian Olympic Association.
Triyasha Paul’s state support
Athletes’ and coaches’ perspectives
Paul said the West Bengal government did not know her and credited the Sports Authority of India with meeting her training needs.
Reported institutional position
The article does not include a response from the West Bengal government; it reports that Paul later represented Delhi in domestic competition.
Pranati Nayak’s medal prospects
Athletes’ and coaches’ perspectives
Coach Ashok Mishra said Nayak’s new vaults could help her reach the final if executed correctly.
Reported institutional position
Mishra also cautioned that leading Korean vaulters could score higher, making a medal difficult to assess before seeing the rivals compete.
Key facts
- Athletes
- Seven athletes with roots in Bengal
- Sports
- Archery, gymnastics, cricket, cycling, equestrian sport and table tennis
- Host
- Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
- Opening date
- September 19, 2026
- Youngest representative
- Syndrela Das, 17
- Oldest representative
- Shruti Vora, 55
- Previous Asian Games champions
- Richa Ghosh was part of India’s women’s cricket gold-medal team at Hangzhou
Quotes
Santanu Bhakat
Ankita Bhakat’s father
“At the previous edition, she performed a Tsukahara straight double twist. This time, she will attempt a handspring front straight full twist and a Tsukahara straight full twist. We have worked extensively on perfecting these vaults. If she executes them correctly, she should reach the final safely.”
telegraphindia.com
“She had a knack for archery from the moment I introduced her to the sport, and she was determined to pursue it. The family supported her throughout”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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