Preview -Asian Games 2026 part 2 of 8
-The Water sports

So let us look at the four major water sports — swimming, rowing, sailing, and canoeing — in which India will participate at the Asian Games. Between them, these disciplines have quietly built some of India's most promising Olympic pipelines, even while staying largely off the television radar. Here's where each one stands heading into 2026.

🚣Rowing

India participated in 10 rowing events at the 2022 Asian Games and achieved a commendable 50% medal conversion rate, finishing with 0 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals.

Over the past four years, Indian rowing has made encouraging progress. The highlights include India's first-ever gold medal at a Rowing World Cup and an impressive fourth-place finish at the World Rowing Championships. At the 2025 Asian Rowing Championships, India won 3 gold, 5 silver, and 2 bronze medals, including the first medal by an Indian women's crew in 20 years. However, it is worth noting that China did not participate in that championship, so those results should be viewed with some caution.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Asian Games, India is competing in only seven events. I am optimistic that the team can win five medals, particularly in the men's pairs, doubles, fours, and quads. It would also be a significant milestone if the Indian women's quad could secure the country's first-ever women's rowing medal at the Asian Games. In addition, Arvind has a realistic chance of reaching the podium in the men's single sculls.

As for the gold medal prospects, much will depend on the strength of the Chinese contingent and whether China fields crews in all the Indian events. If India misses one of its pair or quad events, we could get gold.

🛶Canoeing

The 2022 Asian Games marked a significant milestone for Indian canoeing. India won only its second-ever medal in the sport, with Arjun Singh and Sunil Salam claiming bronze in the men's C-2 1000m event.

Over the past four years, Indian canoeing has continued to make steady progress. The women's C-2 pair reached the finals of the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, a major achievement that highlights the country's growing competitiveness. At the U23 Asian Championships, India also impressed by winning six bronze medals, demonstrating the strength of its emerging talent.

Looking ahead, India has realistic medal prospects in canoe sprint. With entries in nine events, particularly in the men's, women's, and mixed C-2 races, the team could reasonably target one to three medals.

India also has an opportunity to create history. The women's K-2 event presents a genuine chance of securing the nation's first-ever medal in women's canoeing.

🏊Swimming

In swimming, we cannot expect too much, and the Government of India (GOI) has acknowledged this by reducing the aquatics squad from 23 athletes in 2022 to just 12 in 2026. This does not mean that the Indian team has failed to improve. Rather, it reflects the reality that the rest of Asia has been progressing even faster.

Can India still spring a surprise? Possibly. Swimmers such as Sajan Prakash, Srihari Nataraj, and Aryan Nehra could reach the finals, and the men's freestyle relay teams may also make an impact. However, a medal appears unlikely given the current level of competition.

⛵Sailing

Sailing has long been one of India's unseen and unheralded sports at the Asian Games, receiving little attention and rarely featuring on television. Yet it has consistently delivered results. At the last edition, India won one silver and two bronze medals, and the prospects for 2026 appear even brighter.

The biggest reason for optimism is India's remarkable progress in the ILCA classes. Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan are both currently ranked No. 1 in Asia in the ILCA 7 and ILCA 6 classes respectively, making them genuine gold-medal contenders. India also has strong medal prospects in the 49erFX, the women's ILCA 4, and the Mixed 470 events.

Sailing could well emerge as one of India's standout sports at these Asian Games.

Taken together, the water sports offer India a realistic floor of around nine medals and a ceiling that could stretch past fifteen — with sailing carrying the best chance of finally turning silver and bronze into gold. Next up: the combat sports that have long formed the backbone of India's medal tally.