In which athletics events is National Record of India better than the Asian Games record?

Avinash Sable holds both the Indian National Record and the Asian Games Record in men’s 3000m steeplechase. | Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

A 75-member Indian track-and-field contingent will hope to improve its performance from the previous edition at the Asian Games 2026, set to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.

The athletics events will begin on September 23 and conclude on September 29 at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.

At the last Asiad in Hangzhou in 2023, India had won 29 medals – six gold, 14 silver and nine bronze.

The Indian athletes will look to take confidence from the fact that in 14 events, the National Record is better than the current Asian Games Record.

In three out of those 14 events, the Asian Games record also belongs to Indian athletes.

READ | India athletics squad for Asian Games 2026 — Full list of athletes travelling to Aichi-Nagoya

Out of India’s 75 athletes who have been named for the continental meet, 21 are current National Record holders.

Men’s 800m

Asian Games Record (AG): Iran’s Sajad Moradi - 1:45.45s (Guangzhou, 2010)

National Record (NR): Mohd. Afsal - 1:44.93s (Memoriał Czesława Cybulskiego in Poland, 2025)

Men’s 1,500m

AG: Mohammed Shaween of Saudi Arabia - 3:36:49s (Guangzhou, 2010)

NR: Jinson Johnson - 3:35.24s (ISTAF Berlin, 2019)

Women’s 1,500m

AG: Sunita Rani - 4:06:03s (Busan, 2002)

NR: KM Deeksha - 4:04.78s (2024 Track Fest athletics meet in Los Angeles)

Men’s 5,000m

AG: Birhanu Balew of Bahrain - 13:17.40s (Hangzhou, 2023)

NR: Gulveer Singh - 12:59.77s (Boston University Terrier DMR Challenge 2025)

Men’s 10,000m

AG: Bilisuma Shugi Gelassa of Bahrain - 27:32:72s (Guangzhou, 2010)

NR: Gulveer Singh - 27:00.22 (TEN Meet 2025, USA)

Men’s 3,000m Steeplechase

AG: Avinash Sable - 8:19.50s (Hangzhou, 2023)

NR: Avinash Sable - 8:09.91s (Paris Diamond League, 2024)

Women’s 3,000m Steeplechase

AG: Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi - 9:18.28s (Hangzhou, 2023)

NR: Parul Chaudhary - 9:12.46s (Asian Athletics Championships 2025, Gumi)

Men’s Long Jump

AG: China’s Wang Jianan - 8.24m (Jakarta, 2018)

NR: Jeswin Aldrin - 8.42m (Indian Open Throws Competition 2023 at Bellary)

Men’s Triple Jump

AG: China’s Zou Sixin - 17.31m (Beijing, 1990)

NR: Praveen Chithravel - 17.37m (Prueba de confrontacion 2023 meet in Cuba)

Men’s Shot Put

AG: Tajinderpal Singh Toor - 20.75m (Jakarta, 2018)

NR: Tajinderpal Singh Toor - 21.77m (National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2023 in Bhubaneswar)

Men’s Javelin Throw

AG: China’s Zhao Qinggang - 89.15m (Incheon, 2014)

NR: Neeraj Chopra - 90.23m (Doha Diamond League, 2025)

Men’s 4x400m Relay

AG: Qatari quartet of Abderrahman Samba, Mohamed Nasir Abbas, Mohamed El-Nour and Abdalelah Haroun - 3:00:56s (Jakarta, 2018)

NR: Muhammed Anas Yahiya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal and Rajesh Ramesh - 2:59.05s (World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest)

Women’s 4x400m Relay

AG: Bahrain’s Muna Saad S. Mubarak, Kemi Adekoya, Zenab Moussa Ali Mahamat and Salwa Eid Naser - 3:27.65s (Hangzhou, 2023)

NR: Chitra Soman, Rajwinder Kaur, K.M. Beenamol and Manjit Kaur - 3:26.89s (Athens Olympics, 2004)

Mixed 4x400m Relay

AG: Bahrain’s Musa Isah, Kemi Adekoya, Yusuf Ali Abbas and Salwa Eid Naser - 3:14.02s (Hangzhou, 2023)

NR: Muhammad Anas, Jyothika Sri Dandi, Muhammad Ajmal and Kiran Pahal - 3:12.87s (National Inter-State Athletics Championships 2024 in Panchkula)