Asian Games 2026: Roshibina Devi replaces Divyanshi in Wushu, Abhishek Pal dropped for anti-doping violation

FILE PHOTO: India’s Naorem Roshibina Devi has won a bronze (2018) and a silver medal (2023) in wushu at the Asian Games. | Photo Credit: PTI

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has named three replacements in the Asian Games contingent while two athletes have been dropped for anti-doping violations, Sportstar understands.

Apart from Yash Vir Singh taking injured Neeraj Chopra’s place in men’s javelin throw, a decision already announced by the Athletics Federation of India last week, two more changes have been made.

In Wushu, two-time medallist Naorem Roshibina Devi has replaced Divyanshi in women’s 60kg category while Hemanth Pulparambil has taken Erin Varghese’s spot in the Indian men’s volleyball team.

Long-distance runner Abhishek Pal and Greco-Roman wrestler Deepak have been dropped from the contingent for anti-doping violations.

READ | Full list of 501 Indian athletes in 37 sports selected for Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Additionally, Sudesh Sangte has replaced Devanshi Hareshbhai Patel as the coach of the soft tennis squad.

Accordingly, India will now have a contingent of 766 members, comprising 501 athletes (267 male and 234 female) and 265 support staff.

The 20th edition of the Asian Games is set to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.