Malaysia target six golds, 33 medals at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 —Malaysia are targeting six gold, seven silver and 20 bronze medals, or 33 medals overall, at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games from Sept 19 to Oct 4.

Chef de Mission (CDM) Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan said the target was realistic, based on the athletes’ current form, recent achievements, medal potential and the strength of competition at the continental level.

“This target is realistic based on current performances and recent achievements. Everyone knows this is a major Games. The Asian Games are not the SEA Games, so naturally the challenge is greater.

“We also hope there will be a bonus beyond the gold-medal target because we are targeting seven silver and 20 bronze medals,” he said.

He was speaking after the Jalur Gemilang Handover Ceremony for the Malaysian contingents to the Asian Games and Asian Para Games at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil here today.

In the ceremony, national wushu queen Tan Cheong Min was announced as the Malaysian contingent’s Jalur Gemilang flag-bearer for the Asian Games, while para long jumper Muhammad Nazmi Nasri was selected as the flag-bearer for the Asian Para Games.

Mohd Sumali said the target was set following detailed discussions that took into account the athletes’ current form and the strength of their opponents.

“We hope that, as at the Commonwealth Games previously, there will eventually be a bonus. At the same time, we pray that we do not fall short of the target because what is important is that we achieve the overall target of 33 medals,” he said.

Thirteen sports have been identified as having medal potential, including track cycling, badminton, archery, diving, squash, sepak takraw, hockey, athletics, sailing, karate, wushu, esports and shooting.

The Malaysian contingent comprises 352 athletes and 185 officials, who will compete in 30 of the 43 sports contested at the Games. Malaysia will participate in 156 of the 469 events on the programme.

Meanwhile, NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin said the national track cycling star Datuk Azizulhasni Awang is also expected to compete at the Games and help Malaysia achieve the medal target.

CDM for the Asian Para Games Tan Chee Keong said Malaysia are targeting six gold, 10 silver and 18 bronze medals at the Games, scheduled for Oct 18 to 24. — Bernama