Indian sport climbing squad for Asian Games 2026 — Full list of climbers travelling to Aichi-Nagoya

Only two athletes - Deepu Mallesh and Joga Purty - will be representing India in sports climbing at the upcoming Asian Games. | Photo Credit: AFP

India has been taking part in sport climbing at the Asian Games since its debut in the 2018 edition.

Back then, the contingent was just three people. It increased to seven in China, but now, only two athletes will be representing the country. Across the two editions, India hasn’t been able to medal in the discipline.

This time too, the chances seem slim. In the men’s Speed 4 entries, China’s Shouhong Chu will be there at the Asiad. Chu clinched gold at the Asian Championships earlier this year with a timing of 4.90s. In comparison, India’s Deepu Mallesh had clocked 5.39s and 5.578s in qualification to finish 23rd. Moreover, reigning world champion Jianguo Long of China will also be in the fray.

In the Women’s Speed 4 event, Indonesia’s Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi will boast of the Asian Record (6.07s), which she registered en route to the gold medal at the Asian Championships. India’s Joga Purty, at the Asian tournament, reached the Round of 16 but bowed out with a timing of 7.37s.